Ch.14447. Between the Worst and the Best (2)

“Some animals die from shock when they’re startled or terrified, don’t they?”

The Demon Lord spoke while watching Kariel’s decision.

“The same applies to intelligent beings. Anyone would be deeply shocked when something they’ve believed in or depended on collapses.”

What Kariel had seen, both she and the Demon Lord had glimpsed through Kariel’s eyes and ears.

That’s why the Demon Lord made no particular comment on Kariel’s decision to overwhelm Venus to the point of unconsciousness.

Of course, regardless of what Kariel did, the Demon Lord would have maintained an observant stance anyway.

“Just as severe pain can kill, mental shock isn’t much different.”

The Demon Lord merely added an explanation.

He was simply elaborating on what Kariel had intuitively understood and acted upon.

If everything Venus stood for had been crushed here…

Even his seemingly unbreakable will and spirit would have collapsed under such a tremendous shock.

And what might have rushed in to fill that void…

When both expectations and hope disappear, humans move beyond despair and let go of everything.

Even resignation offers some small possibility, but when that too vanishes, one truly loses the driving force of life itself.

It might seem trivial to others, but to the individual experiencing it, it feels as if their entire world has crumbled.

The stronger one’s pride and self-esteem, the greater such a backlash becomes.

“It can’t be helped, can it? Asking someone who’s determined to challenge to give up their goals, dreams, expectations, and hopes is impossible.”

“Are you the same?”

Though Kariel insisted on his belief in not expecting anything, completely abandoning all expectations was impossible.

When expectations are betrayed, the sense of defeat deepens.

Nevertheless, harboring dreams, hopes, and expectations that may never be fulfilled… perhaps it’s almost instinctual.

Even if such futile expectations are what make us unhappy.

If someone truly had no expectations, desires, dreams, or hopes, what motivation or value would their life have?

Perhaps they could discover and feel some value on their own, but I simply cannot comprehend it.

“Yes. Just like life itself.”

Just as we have no choice but to live as long as we don’t die, even if we don’t wish to live.

Living is ultimately about dreaming, a continuous sequence of desires.

From trivial things to grand, brilliant, and great aspirations.

We ultimately have no choice but to live with desires, and to throw ourselves into achieving them, burning ourselves up, and fighting continuously.

Trampling on someone’s wishes, crushing someone’s dreams, eating away at, devouring, tearing apart, and consuming someone’s expectations and hopes.

In the end, this world is structured that way from beginning to end.

“That’s just one side of the picture.”

In that sense, Kariel’s ability is like a representation of such things.

Whether it sings of darkness or plays with light, its essence and function were very similar.

Absorbing and devouring.

Eroding, covering, and overwriting.

In a way, they’re essentially the same.

“Hmm?”

And then.

Through Kariel’s senses, the Demon Lord sensed something.

Kariel, of course, didn’t miss it either.

“It seems we have a welcome visitor. Can you feel it?”

“……”

He regulated his breathing.

He had unknowingly expended considerable energy.

Though his stamina was practically limitless, that didn’t mean it was truly infinite.

Born with a human body, there are definitely limits, and it’s because of these limits that this intermediate realm… the material world has its significance.

Only within the bounds of natural principles and laws.

“I thought they’d followed us quite far already.”

Even though it hadn’t even entered the city center yet.

Despite being at the gateway to the city, it was already fiercely emanating its presence across spaces.

However, this wasn’t particularly meant as a display or demonstration.

Its presence was simply extraordinary by nature.

And its power to instantly quell the surrounding disturbances as it moved quickly, passing through and scanning the area…

That was beyond what Kariel could currently achieve.

“What will you do?”

“…Not yet.”

The deliberation was brief.

“It would be perfect for throwing a tantrum, if you want to restore your relationship, that is.”

“……”

If that had been his intention, he wouldn’t have voluntarily endured such hardship.

This wasn’t just an issue between father and son.

Father and son.

Mother and son.

…And others who know me.

…And even the vast majority of the crowd who pretend to know me while knowing nothing.

…Despite my emotions having become so faint, anger still clearly remained within me.

Truly, I thought it should have fallen away by now, but seeing how vivid it still is when I close my eyes… at this point, it might as well be called a mental illness.

“……”

Just then, Mines flew through the air and landed nearby.

“Kariel.”

Though she was about to say something, Kariel simply nodded to dismiss it.

Kariel immediately picked up the collapsed Venus.

Suddenly, he turned his gaze toward the young Mage King who had been cast aside.

“You should know what you need to do from now on, right?”

“Hic!”

The young king, desperately trying to lose consciousness, was nonetheless so clear-minded that he was desperate to faint.

But he couldn’t.

This was both a curse and a blessing.

…Having feared the afterlife and witnessed even a fragment of truth with his own eyes.

Now, there is no salvation for him,

Only the desperate struggle not to fall into that abyss.

Yet, the burden on his shoulders is so immense.

…But perhaps because of that, he can finally live a truthful life.

Even if it becomes a life based solely on pain, reliant on pain, and fleeing from pain.

Pain isn’t something to overcome. It’s something to endure.

Overcoming it is impossible.

Because it is the most malevolent principle, providence, and a decision based on clear laws.

But when distinguishing between good and evil, only pain makes them reflect.

…Someone must have determined and judged it so.

A truly simple and clear conclusion.

“……”

Eventually, space split open, and a brilliant expanse filled with stars and starlight appeared on a pitch-black canvas.

It suddenly transformed into a massive mouth and swallowed them.

“……”

The young king, who had been following this sight with terrified eyes, finally covered his face with both hands and silently wept for a long time.

Until someone came to speak to him.

Continuously.

====

Paceran had become a chaotic mess in just one day.

With the ruling class—the primary victims of this disturbance—absent, the confusion showed no signs of subsiding.

But as they say, power abhors a vacuum.

Minor nobles and mage families who had been watching the major aristocratic houses began looking for opportunities to fill the void, while spies from various countries contemplated how to exploit the situation while simultaneously rushing to send urgent reports through their respective channels.

In this regard, the efficient magical communication network befitting a Mage Kingdom played a significant role in rapidly transmitting and spreading this turmoil and confusion.

Additionally, as in any country, unofficial and illegal back-alley organizations began desperately seizing this opportunity to expand their influence.

Some showcased their abilities to nobles they had their eyes on, while others solidified their existing connections through a mix of intimidation and cooperation.

Meanwhile, the kingdom’s guard and security forces joined together to manage the situation, using it as a pretext to oust the royal guard and take their place.

The Magic Corps, the pride of the Mage Kingdom, realized this and allied with the expelled royal guard to continue their power struggle.

Various families desperately tried to salvage the vacant interests, while others shamelessly seized those interests amid the chaos.

Everything was in disorder.

It was truly chaos upon chaos.

Here,

An unexpected force—or rather, a non-force—began to expand its influence.

Irenist missionaries and merchant unions started integrating various classes to establish another form of stability.

And those who had received miraculous help had become fervent believers in the Irenist faith.

Especially,

Those who had witnessed the massive pillar of light that presumably quelled the chaos.

They interpreted it as divine grace descending, claiming that heaven had punished the corrupt king and nobles, and delivered appropriate punishment to the arrogant mages. They interpreted all phenomena and results accordingly, becoming even more zealous believers and enthusiastically fulfilling their mission as propagators of faith.

In fact, the only place where the distinctions between mages, the incompetent, and the poor were meaningless was among these people.

As a result, within days, the Irenist faith and its followers had gained the support of most of the city-state’s poor.

And what made this possible was…

“Please form a line! We still have plenty to distribute! Everyone, don’t be hasty, form a line!”

A merchant group led by disguised members of the Relief Knight Order.

The massive amounts of food they provided.

They claimed they had been transporting it elsewhere but got stuck here and, coincidentally, when this crisis occurred… they decided to make a generous donation. Here too, they coordinated with missionaries to spread the word that the missionaries had helped, contributing to the widespread dissemination of this fact.

Thanks to this, the Irenist faith was experiencing its greatest prosperity since entering the eastern continental city-state of Paceran.

“Truly, I realize that all thoughts and judgments are useless in the face of divine guidance. We need only follow, as I am reminded and made aware once again.”

As the missionary made the sign of the cross with an indescribable emotion, Rupert, with his eyes closed, simply nodded in agreement.

“The Heavenly One sees farther than anyone else. How could we creatures fathom such insight?”

The missionary took a deep breath and expressed profound agreement with Rupert’s words.

“Indeed. Yes!”

But while the missionary was both moved and pained by this pitiful sight,

Rupert showed no emotion toward the muffled outcry of the crowd pushed into the small temple.

“Good deeds.”

“…What did you say?”

“I was wondering how far one must go for something to be considered a good deed.”

“…You’re already doing more than enough. Who could, how could anyone demand more?”

The missionary’s eyes turned toward the naked crowd gathered below the temple.

This was the only place where, regardless of status or class, genuine sharing, giving, and heartfelt service were taking place.

“This in itself is miraculous enough.”

If people could purely love one another, the world would surely become paradise.

Our role ultimately begins with creating such a paradise not in heaven but on earth.

…At least, that’s what the missionary had always believed, and now felt rewarded for.

As brothers and sisters increased in number, the world would become a little more abundant.

“……”

But Rupert knows.

That this too is only temporary.

O foolish one who believes in human ignorance.

Your greatest trial will begin when they point rusted metal at you, cast evil glances, and hurl malicious curses.

…If faith persists even beyond that.

If you can maintain your devotion even when facing a miserable death with your life hanging by a thread.

“……”

“Are you leaving?”

“Even with blind eyes, I have work to do. Just as the world doesn’t tell the blind not to eat or sleep, I can’t be idle here.”

“…I learn so much from watching you, brother. Then I too… will focus on what I can do right now.”

As if hiding his embarrassment, the missionary hurried to the food distribution area, and Rupert slowly left the temple, bidding him farewell in his heart.

‘Now, what to do.’

The storm that had engulfed Paceran seemed to have passed for now.

But calamities take many forms.

Whether fire rain will fall from the sky, the earth’s crust will split causing earthquakes, an unseasonable cold wave will arrive, a plague will sweep through, or pests will invade…

No one knows yet.

And the living calamity and salvation.

Though rumors hadn’t spread, he knew that the Radiant Knight, Hero Rueld, had come here.

And as long as Rueld was vigilant, Kariel would find it difficult to reveal himself…

Unless he deliberately chose to expose himself.

Was it because he was a suspected collaborator with the Demon Lord?

Or was there some other circumstance?

In his own way, Kariel was one of the main culprits who had acted from the Empire, but what Rupert himself had done was merely foreseeing what was already going to happen.

That’s why Rupert himself only lost his eyesight.

What led Kariel to step out from the system, he still didn’t know well.

Was it because he was rejected, ignored, and slighted?

Though the trigger was supposedly the birth of his younger brother… was that really the only reason?

“…How fleeting.”

Why bother pondering something he didn’t care about?

He was merely an observer.

He was before, and he is now, even with blind eyes.

…There isn’t much difference in his essential nature.