Chapter 123

Rea&d;​ ​ȯ​ń ̀KαтR&e;&a;​di‌n​ｇC​&a;fe‍

The man, Belial, stared intently at the crimson orb, as red as fresh blood.

It was cold, like a corpse growing cold, and yet hot, like spilled blood.

It was as fleeting as a dying ember, yet as radiant as a sunset.

It was undoubtedly a high-quality item.

Such an artifact is not easily obtained.

Though the total potential power it contained couldn’t compare to that of a devil,

if placed in the optimal vessel, it could even rival the power of a devil.

It made sense that Astaroth had brought it herself.

“Hmm.”

Belial stroked his chin.

It was a habit he unconsciously fell into whenever he was deep in thought.

If asked whether he could create a vessel, of course, he could.

He could craft the perfect vessel to fully contain and even enhance the power within the core.

“I refuse.”

But being able to do something and agreeing to do it are two different things.

Belial firmly expressed his refusal.

“Judging by the suffocating death energy, this must be the core of a Death Knight. A finely refined aura. But do you think creating a body worthy of such a death knight is easy? A vessel that can withstand the extreme death energy that corrodes, pollutes, and eventually rots and decays? Do you have any idea how much high-quality material and countless hours it would take?”

There’s no benefit.

The cost outweighs the gain.

The effort required is immense, and there’s nothing to gain in return.

“That’s harsh~ You won’t even do this favor for me?”

“If you’re just going to spout nonsense, leave. Don’t waste any more of my time.”

“Ahaha.”

Astaroth let out her characteristic laugh, as if she had expected this.

In truth, she hadn’t expected Belial to agree to her request at all.

Belial was someone who meticulously weighed gains and losses.

He wouldn’t accept a one-sided request that offered him nothing in return.

“Then let’s make a deal.”

In other words, Belial’s mind could be swayed if there was something to gain.

Astaroth rolled the Death Knight’s core on her palm and spoke softly.

“If you make a vessel for this guy, I’ll pay you a corresponding price.”

“What?”

“Something you desperately need.”

Astaroth looked around for a chair, then simply sat on the office desk.

The pile of documents crumpled, but Belial didn’t bother to point it out.

He crossed his arms, as if waiting to hear what she had to say.

“I met a captain, multiple actually. They were stronger than I expected.”

“So?”

“Now I understand.”

“…”

“Agares’ warning, and why you were defeated by a human.”

Belial’s gaze turned icy.

A faint anger could be felt in the grip on his forearm.

Regardless, Astaroth grinned and continued.

“Ah right, one of the captains I met was the 7th Division captain. The one who did that to you was also the 7th Division captain, right? The former captain, I mean.”

Five years ago.

When the unprecedented rift occurred.

The Transcendents descended upon this world for the first time.

Though the truth was unknown, humans referred to the tragedy of that day as the Great Calamity.

It was a fitting name.

“…Under normal circumstances, I could have torn them apart with one hand. Mere mortals are no match for us.”

“That’s true. At that time, we had just recently taken over our ‘vessels.’”

The gods of the four seasons couldn’t have been unaware of the devil gods’ invasion.

To avoid the watchful eyes of the omnipotent beings who protected the world,

the devil gods had to make a humiliating yet efficient decision.

They would possess human bodies.

Avatars.

By using humans, who were under the protection of the gods, as vessels, they could secretly infiltrate the world.

Thus, the devil gods became devil-humans.

However, the fragile human body couldn’t fully contain the power of a devil god.

On the day of the Great Calamity,

Belial had barely managed to contain himself within a human body.

But his luck was bad.

No, perhaps this too was the guidance of the gods who sought to protect humanity.

“To encounter the strongest human at the weakest moment.”

The former 7th Division captain.

Belial gently closed his eyes.

The most intense battle of his life.

Even in an incomplete body, Belial had killed the captain.

He tore out the captain’s heart and shattered his spine.

But Belial’s soul was shattered.

“That ‘vessel’ of yours won’t last much longer, will it?”

“…There are plenty of replacements.”

“But they won’t last long, will they?”

The other devil-humans took their time to adapt to their human bodies.

They elevated their existence to a level where they could withstand the soul and power of a devil god.

Thus, they could wield power close to their original form without burden.

But Belial couldn’t do the same.

Not because he lacked the ability, but because of the scars left by the former 7th Division captain.

His soul was torn, causing the devil god’s power to leak out.

Since he couldn’t release it externally, he contained it within.

But the human body couldn’t withstand the power of a higher being.

Belial’s vessel was crumbling moment by moment.

Each time, he moved to a new vessel, but it was always a temporary solution.

The vessel would break before it could grow strong enough to withstand the devil god’s power.

“…What’s your point? Stop beating around the bush.”

“I told you, it’s a deal.”

“State your offer.”

“What I want is the same as before. Make a vessel for this guy. Preferably the optimal body.”

“And the price?”

At the subtly posed question, Astaroth chuckled and replied.

“I’ll provide you with a vessel that can contain you.”

“Nonsense.”

“It’s true.”

Belial frowned, as if it wasn’t even worth listening to.

A vessel capable of containing a devil god is rare.

Even among the countless humans swarming like ants, only a handful exist.

And a vessel that can contain Belial, whose power is uncontrollable?

Even if it were a captain, one of the pinnacles of supernaturals, he couldn’t be sure it would even work.

“If such a vessel exists, why come to me? If it’s a human capable of containing us, they could surely handle a Death Knight. Did you come here to joke around with me? Or are you looking for a fight? The hierarchy competition is already outdated.”

“Ahaha, aren’t you being too old-fashioned? You’re so rigid, it’s no fun.”

“Then what’s the reason?”

“Think about it. This guy is impressive, but he’s barely at the edge of reaching the level of a devil.”

The Black Knight.

One of the highest-ranking upper-tier monsters.

A monster that humans have named and are wary of as a ‘named monster’.

But ultimately, it doesn’t escape the category of an upper-tier monster.

Even if it gains a good body, it’s uncertain whether it can become a devil.

There’s a possibility, but it’s just that—a possibility.

“It’s a waste, isn’t it? A good vessel that’s already been found.”

“…”

“I came here with good intentions, you know? If you keep this up, I’ll get hurt~”

“…You have a point.”

It might indeed be a waste to use a vessel capable of containing a devil god on a monster.

Though Astaroth spoke as if she had plenty of options, it was closer to bravado.

A human capable of containing a devil god is not something you can easily find, even if you search tirelessly.

Only one replacement remains.

And even that one is inferior to the current vessel, so it won’t last long.

“What do you think? I think it’s a pretty good deal.”

“…I’ll admit, it’s a tempting offer.”

Belial had been unable to become a complete devil-human, and his power usage was restricted.

If he could solve the problem that had been holding him back in exchange for providing a vessel for the Black Knight, there was no reason to refuse.

In fact, even if it hurt his pride, he should have been the one to ask first.

But Belial didn’t immediately accept Astaroth’s offer.

“Can you guarantee that the vessel you’ve prepared can handle me?”

“Of course. If I wasn’t sure, I wouldn’t have come to you in the first place.”

“Evidence?”

“Hehe, I can already feel your excitement. I can hear the anticipation in your voice.”

“Stop wasting time and speak.”

“Alright, alright~”

She had planned to tease him a bit, but it seemed like it might backfire.

He seemed halfway convinced, but you never know.

He might just kick her out if she annoys him too much.

Belial valued rationality, but he could also be emotional.

Astaroth swung her legs back and forth and began to explain.

“Your problem is the damage to your soul. Your power leaks out, and you can’t stop it. You’ve contained it within your body to prevent it from leaking externally, but as a result, the human body breaks down before it can ascend to a divine vessel capable of containing a devil god.”

“…”

“Repairing the broken soul would be the best solution. But in this world, that’s not feasible, is it?”

Restoring the soul of a higher being requires an equivalent amount of karma.

Of course, the gods of the four seasons wouldn’t overlook the process of accumulating such karma.

At any time, the gods are the biggest obstacle.

“It’s a shift in perspective.”

If the soul can’t be fixed, leave it broken.

It doesn’t matter if the body’s decay can’t be stopped.

In short, the important thing is for the vessel to hold out until it becomes a divine vessel.

If the body can fully absorb the leaking power, the damage to the soul is no longer a problem.

“I’ll provide you with a body that won’t break—or rather, one that can repair itself even if it does.”

“Does such a human exist?”

Belial asked skeptically.

He didn’t hide his doubtful gaze.

As if expecting this reaction, Astaroth giggled and laughed.

“There is.”

She licked her lips, as red and delicate as roses, and spoke playfully.

“Have you heard of super regeneration?”

Author Note

A/N (Author’s note):
This was an episode that solved all sorts of plot points.

The great disaster, the death of the former captain of the 7th division, the identity of the devils, etc. 

It was really hard work to make the story I had in mind easy to read.

I really envy the authors who can do this so naturally.

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
Sorry to say this author, but the story still has a lot of holes here!!!

For example, it says that the future will contain the 7th high rank monster in the novel but high rank monsters are everywhere!! I wonder if it meant named monsters but it’s still too confusing!!!

Oh yeah, just to be clear about the devil-human or devil gods thingamajig, I’ll still refer to them as devils because I’m laz—it fits better.