Ch.16353. You Are Truly, Exhausting.(3)

“This is magnificent.”

Even though she had merely buried a single branch in the sand, that alone transformed the surrounding area into a mystical realm.

Delica, wrapped in a blue light armor, narrowed her sunset-colored eyes.

With a gaze unusually heavy and dark for a girl her age, the young girl carefully observed the landscape created by the red branch, as if witnessing magic or a miracle.

The small branch eventually becomes a small tree.

Above it, dark red thorny vines hang abundantly.

The area surrounding the small tree embedded in the ground was enveloped in a red and gloomy atmosphere.

As if this area alone existed in a different space.

“It won’t be easy to endure with a body that isn’t a Mein.”

A pale white man, as if sculpted from marble, appeared from behind, leaving footprints in the sand.

When Cain said this, Delica snorted.

“Just endure it with mental strength.”

“That young body of yours is clearly different from before. If pain is about adaptation and tolerance, then it’s not just a matter of mental strength.”

“You talk too much. Would there be a problem if we just moved on?”

And as Cain had worried, Delica’s lips twitched at the unpleasant sensation gradually enveloping her entire body.

“I remember the demon realm I knew as being quite rational.”

“Now it’s another form of hell.”

A vast neural prison where beings wander or endure overflowing pain without reason, civilization, society, or anything else.

“Misfortune has no hierarchy, and neither does pain.”

If everyone suffers and everyone is made to suffer…

…Wouldn’t the world finally be equal and fair?

For those who endure pain well, give them more pain.

For those who cannot endure, give them minimal pain.

And to those who endure much, give more authority and rights.

For those who violate principles, give pain as punishment.

For those who accept dedication and self-sacrifice, give a moment of rest.

Evil brings greater pain, and even good is no exception.

The sin of ignoring evil.

The sin of submitting to and being violated by evil.

The sin of worshiping, submitting to, and revering evil.

The lazy ones.

The negligent ones.

The complacent ones.

Cowards. Traitors. Criminals. Hypocrites. Malicious ones. The weak.

Even nature itself is neither equal nor fair.

Thus, hierarchies are established, and disparities are distinguished.

Conflicts, hatred, contempt, and frustration from desire and longing…

All exist because hierarchies were established.

So taint everything with pain.

In the moment of being consumed by pain, all living beings are equally and fairly treated.

Literally becoming equal and fair.

“Without that principle, it would have been impossible to dominate the demon realm so easily.”

The king of the demon realm acquires the right to infiltrate the demon realm through the principle of reason.

Whether used selfishly or altruistically.

That is solely the demon king’s prerogative.

So if you don’t like it, you can overthrow them.

If you approve, you simply remain loyal.

However, Cain added with a hint of regret:

“The golden ratio of the previous ruler, the Demon King of Wisdom, though harsh, was… incomparable to this era by civilized standards. Order was firm, and everyone had integrity.”

From simple technology to conveniences.

The demon realm had continued based on an advanced civilized society due to the principles established by the Demon King of Wisdom and the Great Demon King.

And that…

…Their lord had destroyed it.

The current demon realm was already rushing toward the end of an era and the point of doom.

“Trade and contracts. Legitimate relationships based on mutual respect. Also, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. The correlation of power and the unbalanced relationship that could collapse at any time.”

All of these were intricately connected like the spokes of a wheel.

Since they were bound by the law of principles, neither individuals nor groups could disrupt this structure.

Cain sighed with self-mockery.

“But it’s all useless now.”

“So those who followed the Demon King of Wisdom to the middle realm are ultimately the victors?”

“If they somehow foresaw this situation, perhaps.”

Delica nodded indifferently at Cain’s words.

“Everyone makes choices.”

In the end, only one’s choices and their consequences remain.

And those who remain in the demon realm now…

Are experiencing the legitimate retribution for their past choices.

I don’t want to claim that following the Demon King of Wisdom was unconditionally right.

However, if the result of not doing so is this dire… what can you do? You must accept it.

If not…

…Shouldn’t one of you have become the Demon King long ago?

It’s undeniably their fault that they left the position vacant until Delica and Cain’s lord became the Demon King.

If they feel wronged, they should try to resist.

“She’s coming.”

Space splits open.

A crimson woman emerges, tearing through the spatial gap.

A mature woman with star-like eyes stares intensely at Delica and Cain.

But that’s all.

Soon, a dark gauntlet that has turned her grip pitch-black begins to consume even her elbow.

And that’s not all.

From her legs, feet, lower body, and upper body.

Beyond that, a black current envelops her entire body.

-!!!

The sound of metal flying, friction, and crushing resonates eerily.

As her mature body is forcibly compressed and crumpled…

The woman who has fallen to her knees has transformed into that of a girl.

Even her star-filled red comet-like eyes have changed to eyes resembling stagnant blood.

She gasps heavily, but even that is momentary.

Like breathing heavily after a brief run with lungs properly heated up.

It wasn’t the kind of intensity that comes from pain.

-…

Looking at the woman who was silently examining them while catching her breath, Delica sighed briefly.

“Lutesia.”

-…

By now, the surrounding area had transformed into a deep red world.

It was forming an unstable current, just like that of the demon realm.

The sky of the demon realm is red, and when the sun sets, the world takes on a purple hue, only turning pitch-black when light completely fades.

“What about him? Did you let him go?”

…

Silence.

But Delica nodded.

“You mean he escaped?”

Cain, who had been watching, clicked his tongue.

“How can you communicate with her?”

“How should I know?”

When Delica snorted, Cain remained silent.

The girl with red hair and red eyes, imprisoned in pitch-black armor.

And she, Lutesia, who was also the current Demon King, was calmly facing Delica.

She mumbled softly, barely lit up her eyes, and just squirmed.

Yet somehow, Delica’s expression hardened as if she had directly heard her speak.

“Kariel. He understood what you said? How?”

“Similar to my concerns about the boss.”

Delica cleanly ignored Cain’s harmless teasing.

“You said there’s something to gain here anyway? We can look for him while doing that.”

“Any chance of interference?”

Cain pointed out just in case.

But Delica showed no particular concern.

“When has anything ever gone smoothly? I don’t think it ever has for me.”

“True.”

Worrying about the absence of obstacles or interference is a luxury and complacency.

The world inherently requires pushing, breaking, and overthrowing something to achieve anything.

“Doing something ultimately means taking something from others. There’s no need to be surprised by that.”

Whether it’s a simple possession or a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Perhaps even a single life or meaningless dignity.

Just as one who desires strives to obtain…

This principle, in a way, is the most direct solution method permitted by the world.

Trees are cut and broken because they cannot defend themselves.

It can’t be entirely denied that trees were born to sacrifice themselves.

Therefore, humans and sentient beings are truly arrogant creatures.

Without gratitude or awareness of privilege.

They enjoy everything as naturally as breathing or drinking water.

And when this concept shifts to human versus human, sentient being versus sentient being…

Here too, the same hierarchical structure applies.

We’ve been constantly victimized.

You’ve only been perpetrators.

So I believe it’s right for this world to collapse.

Because its very structure is flawed.

“You’ve already shown your power. They’ll be prepared next time.”

So let’s try a different approach next time.

“Let’s try dialogue. And if there are conflicting issues and things to agree upon between us… it would be good to move forward in the direction we both want.”

Besides, thinking about Kariel brings up various thoughts.

There are many things that bother me.

…He certainly didn’t seem like a bad person, but even so, I shouldn’t be prejudiced.

People can cross between good and evil depending on their circumstances and positions.

“…”

Also.

About her, whom I saw just before leaving the royal palace of Pheisran…

Even if this world isn’t the past of the original world she knew, as Kariel said.

If she keeps that fact to herself.

Maybe…

…No. Maybe even this is a futile expectation.

When you start to hold hope and desire, there’s no end to it.

If you’re not going to live dreaming forever…

You must cut it off. You must carve it out.

Unnecessary hope only brings frustration.

It is the most unnecessary vice that destroys will and motivation.

====

She flounders in a river of pain.

Opening and closing her eyes repeatedly.

For over a week, she, Patina, had been suffering.

How did it come to this?

Her resistance, already at rock bottom due to pain, had not yet completely collapsed.

Her honor and pride as a knight meant little at this point.

Though she had undergone training to resist pain, the symptoms she was experiencing were on a completely different level.

One day, the pain of being burned alive.

Another day, the pain of being submerged in frozen river water.

She felt pain as if her entire body’s muscles were breaking and rupturing.

Sometimes her head felt like it was splitting, then her heart would hurt, her lungs would hurt, her intestines would twist, and it was as if dozens of thick needles were being stabbed into her gums and teeth—all kinds of pain were gnawing at her mind and body.

In this state, she hadn’t been able to properly swallow anything for a while.

She knew there were people taking care of her, but she had no opportunity to check their faces or conditions.

When her vision suddenly turned black, she feared she had lost her sight.

But even that fear was overshadowed by the pain.

Sometimes she lost feeling in her arms, and other times in her legs.

No matter how much she breathed, she felt short of breath, and when she felt the fear of dying from suffocation as if drowning, her mind and body were truly on the verge of collapse.

But at some point, that pain was washed away completely.

And only then could she close her eyes in peace.

She opened her eyes two days later.

It was ten days after she had collapsed.

====

“It wasn’t a simple curse.”

Patina lay on the bed.

Ermina, who had been watching her with stabilized breathing, finally let out a sigh of relief that wasn’t quite relief.

“…”

Rueld pushed his holy sword back into its scabbard.

“How are you?”

“…I’m fine. I can endure.”

Ermina had also been exposed to the same curse since being severely injured, suffering immense pain.

Yet she was able to endure because of her extraordinary patience.

Because of a life accustomed to asceticism and pain, and its aftermath.

But this time, it was truly difficult.

Though she hadn’t said anything, there was a reason she had urgently called Rueld.

“Even without external or internal injuries. If affected by it, one’s mind would collapse from the pain. This would lead to either death from pain… or giving up the will to live.”

While enduring this, Ermina had continuously brought blessings to this land to prevent the will of those around her from breaking.

If it had been a simple curse, everything would have been resolved at her level.

But this time, something was different in nature.

If it had been death from external or internal injuries, it wouldn’t have been difficult for Ermina to restore them as long as she was fine.

But this wasn’t the case.

So all she could do was prevent them from weakening physically and dying, even if their minds collapsed.

That was the best and only thing she could do at the time.

“A curse that cannot be resolved with holy power. Is that what you’re saying?”

“I don’t know. But seeing that it was resolved with your power… my guess is that it’s related to divine power.”

“…”

Rueld’s expression became complicated.

It seems it was the right decision not to part ways with Geornia and Hamern during the journey.

But while he had expected something, he hadn’t thought they would target so openly…

And the fact that they targeted us instead of the emperor…

“They weren’t targeting me.”

“What?”

From Rueld’s terrifyingly hardened expression, Ermina seemed to understand his thoughts and pointed out the key.

“Not me… Elimion. They were targeting that child.”

“Why… of all people?”

Were they trying to take a hostage?

Or… since they couldn’t target me, they targeted a relative… what benefit would they gain?

Could it be revenge? Retaliation? If so, whose…

“Haa.”

“You don’t look well. You’ve been through a lot. I’ll take care of the rest… why don’t you rest first?”

He had overlooked what needed immediate attention.

Inwardly reproaching himself for his insensitivity, Rueld lowered his posture to support Ermina, who was swaying while seated.

Ermina had also been guarding this quarantine area for days without proper sleep.

The reason for quarantine was that this pain had partially spread.

Pain that spreads—what a terrible outcome.

So at first, they wondered if it might be an unknown epidemic or symptoms of poisoning, causing headaches within the empire.

“…”

“Aren’t you going to ask?”

As if hoping to be reproached, Rueld’s complexion darkened as he deliberately asked.

“I wonder if I have the right to.”

Looking at Ermina, who was breathing shallowly and sweating profusely with haggard eyes, Rueld forcibly lifted her.

Then he headed to the remaining bed to lay her down.

Just as he placed her on the bed, Ermina grabbed his arm with both hands.

“It’s strange. Despite the terrible pain… thinking about that child gives me a sense of relief.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“…Being in such pain and suffering because of my sin… it actually gave me a bit of comfort. Really. It’s not a lie. I didn’t know that I, who was so weak, could endure this much. The more I hurt, maybe the less that child would suffer? I know it’s not possible, but still, you never know, right?”

It was an attitude of either self-mockery or lamentation.

Though she tried to force a smile, her lips and the corners of her eyes naturally drooped.

Her pale skin and bloodshot eyes indirectly conveyed how arduous her ordeal had been.

Yet even now, as if the pain hadn’t ended, all kinds of emotions swirled in her eyes.

She spoke in a weak voice, almost whispering.

“…I’m sorry for everything.”

“I’ll… do something about it. Just rest for now.”

Holding the half-unconscious Ermina, Rueld placed her on the bed.

For a long time afterward, he just took deep breaths.

Then, while wiping her sweat-soaked face with a cloth,

Rueld left the isolation room and informed those waiting outside that the curse problem had been resolved.

As soon as he finished speaking, maids dispatched from the imperial palace and some female priests from the church entered to take care of the people inside.

“Fortunately, we’re not too late.”

“Sir Medrin.”

For someone so blunt, the sigh tinged with relief was somewhat unexpected.

“Why are you still here instead of going back?”

“Since the situation has progressed, shouldn’t we monitor the outcome just in case?”

Teleportation magic has the drawback of extreme physical drain the farther the distance.

Originally, traveling through stations reduces mana and physical consumption, but even so, the distance this time was quite far.

Essentially, he had traveled from the eastern edge of the continent to the west.

Just as long-distance travel involves using multiple horses and alternating between them, super long-distance teleportation is typically structured similarly, but… since it was better to have fewer people know, he was dispatched directly.

Moreover, it wasn’t one-way but round-trip, and the fact that he was still standing without collapsing spoke volumes about his level.

“I heard you volunteered actively for support.”

“The grace I received from Lady Ermina is as vast as the ocean. This is nothing.”

Showing off.

Rueld patted his shoulder and urged:

“Go rest now. I’ll handle the rest.”

“Then I’ll accept your consideration.”

Watching him salute and walk away until he was out of sight,

Rueld stood near the entrance of the isolation room for a while.

Quietly observing those moving actively inside through the door.

He too needed time to organize the various thoughts in his head.