Ch.17658. We Are Simply Here.

I didn’t hate holding a sword from the beginning.

Like everyone else, you naturally become interested in what you’re good at.

When people around you lift you up, praise you, and encourage you…

…somehow, you manage.

But can I really say I do swordsmanship because I love and enjoy it?

I could pretend to like it.

And if I could genuinely come to like it through pretending, that would be a blessing in its own way.

I went along with it because everyone else did, as if it were natural.

But if you can’t adapt to that yoke, you eventually realize:

This is not where I belong.

I’m not doing it because I want to.

I fell into it because I was made to do it.

Like stepping into a trap set along a path, stumbling without even realizing it.

So then.

What do I truly want to do? What was it again?

And what do I not want to do?

What should I avoid doing?

What must I accomplish?

…

By merely being born, we are deprived of freedom.

That’s the final conclusion I’ve reached.

====

“I concluded that one needs power to refuse unreasonable demands.”

As a child, Elhermina, upon our rare reunion, boldly made such a confession to my face.

“So for now, farewell.”

In the elven country, after somehow returning to the institution because of my father, I spent quite some time bedridden.

Elhermina came to visit me, but she seemed even colder than before…

…Than before? Colder?

How do I know this?

“I look forward to our future reunion.”

Many others came and went, but for some reason, I don’t particularly remember them.

They were all people I’d never seen before.

The same went for Princess Elhermina.

Only that look in her eyes.

Perhaps it left a deep impression on me at the time.

But even that I soon forgot.

Even after leaving my sickbed, my physical condition remained poor, and rehabilitation took a long time.

I knew nothing.

With little knowledge and few memories surfacing, I had to learn everything anew.

Perhaps.

Not openly showing this was my greatest mistake.

At the time, I seemed to have enough sense not to worry others.

At least I could communicate.

Yes.

For someone completely uninitiated, I adapted quite well.

I was young, after all.

And I had no choice but to adapt, since everyone around me kept praising me as extraordinary.

Back then, I accepted such pressure as pride and self-esteem, having it instilled in me.

In a way, it was neither my fault nor theirs.

Everyone just… greatly misunderstood.

The me they overestimated was actually quite ordinary.

And the me who thought himself ordinary was unknowingly led to overestimate himself due to their pushing.

My father and mother did this too.

As did His Majesty the Emperor… and everyone else around me…

Until the event that completely reversed such evaluations… I vaguely assumed that success and glory were guaranteed throughout my life.

…Yes.

Back then, I was just being dragged along by my surroundings, knowing nothing.

Such scenes and circumstances endlessly flash through my mind.

Recalling them makes my legs go numb and my neck stiffen… so shabby, ugly, clumsy, and chaotic… a fool. An idiot.

There’s nothing to feel proud about.

Perhaps that’s why.

One of my fleeting wishes is:

…To completely erase my pathetic old traces, my past, my very existence from this world.

That’s the kind of desolate wish I harbor.

“……”

I forcibly grasp my hazy consciousness.

My mind was briefly muddled.

I seem to have recalled something… but it doesn’t come to me.

Breathing is difficult.

As if I’m sinking underwater.

Before I know it, pitch-black darkness surrounds me, with blazing white light draped over the boundary of that darkness.

It’s impossible to completely eliminate mana.

That would be tantamount to erasing this world.

But absorption is possible.

No, I’ve made it possible.

The fruit of a certain obsession.

Reproduction, however, is another matter.

This is different from how mages neutralize mana with magic.

This isn’t neutralization, but complete absorption and inhalation of mana itself.

And then completely severing a specific area, a space in a state of mana vacuum.

Grandeus couldn’t construct a star within his body like I did because he lacked a physical form.

No matter how strong his will.

It neither affected the world, nor could his will be physically manifested.

That is the domain of the living.

If the dead wish to invoke such effects, they must conform to the laws of mana.

…For him, it was ultimately a challenge to the impossible.

So he devised an alternative.

But his limitations, as he himself revealed, were very clear.

Within physical reach, he could nullify everything or conversely control that power, but…

…Beyond his reach, it was all impossible.

The reason Grandeus was defeated in the final battle with my father, unable to withstand my father’s mana and divine power with his dark star…

…was because my father, having identified his weakness, targeted the very space he occupied with overwhelming divine power.

Even if he could have somehow reacted and responded, Grandeus judged it was only a matter of time.

Not knowing these circumstances at the time, I drew hasty conclusions based only on what the Demon King showed.

…So back then, I thought Grandeus had simply given up.

But that wasn’t it.

Having clearly seen the difference in their levels and compatibility issues, Grandeus acknowledged his technical defeat.

Besides that, he also let go of his will because he knew the future.

…And having achieved all his goals, he could willingly face defeat and resolutely accept it.

That’s what he confessed to me.

“……”

My mind is hazy.

Meanwhile, the world is quiet.

Despite the apocalyptic scene before my eyes.

It was silent without a sound.

Perhaps I can’t hear.

Or maybe even sound itself has been absorbed.

Grandeus, the Demon King, said that in the sky above the sky, in space where the moon lurks, no sound is produced.

…Did he say I just needed to know that without understanding the principle? Why didn’t he explain what was so difficult?

‘If that’s the case.’

The reason I can’t hear sounds might be because, at least within my surrounding area, an environment similar to space, or perhaps close to it, has been created.

A black star, he said, is a dead star.

We see stars through the light they emit.

But what if light can’t escape or even reach us?

That star becomes a black star. A dark star. An invisible star.

Then what is light?

And what is darkness created when light is blocked?

Is absorbing light really that remarkable?

Gravity.

The reason we can stand on the ground.

But if it becomes too strong, we wouldn’t even be able to stand.

Beyond just being unable to stand, the very structure of the world would break down.

Space itself would collapse.

Therefore.

Everything within that space would effortlessly shatter.

Thus.

This power we wield is an extremely dangerous, fundamental force of destruction.

It’s not actually destroying, but it brings about the result of destruction—an indiscriminate calamity.

Grandeus wasn’t trying to destroy the world.

So he had to change his directional approach.

For instance, this—restricting the surrounding area to absorb all mana and create a zone of extinction—

…is, in a sense, thoroughly and one-sidedly disadvantageous to the caster.

Therefore, if one wishes to wield this perilously dangerous power.

Their character, will, and mindset are extremely important.

If mishandled, this could easily be a power that brings the world to ruin.

So it cannot be given to just anyone.

In the end, my naivety, or foolishness, my habit of not being selfish, my frustrating tendency to be a pushover, my exceptional characteristic of enduring as a fool…

…these were the fundamental reasons I received this inheritance.

What I’ve considered a lifelong disadvantage, unnecessary, something I wanted to erase, forget, or ignore… ultimately qualified me.

When I heard that, I was truly dismayed.

This is, after all, my innate disposition.

Being kind (foolish), I’ve blamed myself (weakly) rather than hating others (foolishly).

And.

This innate quality, this tendency of mine, wasn’t something easily changed.

But at this moment.

Both my innate nature and the divinity I’ve built up… have disappeared together.

Of course, they’ll return to how they were once I release Dominatur Peccata.

Perhaps that’s why.

Though my physical condition is at its worst and my consciousness is hazy.

I vaguely feel a sense of liberation.

I am awake.

“Within this space, any special power, authority, or right is completely nullified.”

The War God said.

And indeed, it is so.

That’s why within this space, even the Demon King isn’t visible.

…Any magical, mystical, transcendental phenomenon or special something is entirely useless.

What remains is us.

Only, wholly, us standing firmly on the ground.

“Kehek!”

Ahriman, who had taken the form of a massive serpent, sprawls on the ground, coughing up black blood.

This pitch-black being, in human form yet not human, was growing increasingly weaker as time passed.

What about the War God?

All his avatar bodies have disappeared, but the Steel Warrior, the Boy, and the Golden Curved Sword remain intact.

In other words, those three are their essence, their reality, their true nature.

But even that hasn’t completely shed its transcendence yet.

“……”

It seems possible to absorb mana and create a vacuum space, but not yet possible to nullify the mana formed within their bodies and the reality and phenomena manifested through it.

This is, in a way, another form of the dark star, the black light star.

Though it’s a technique dozens of times more sophisticated.

“But Your Excellency. Due to constructing such a forced domain, you’re hovering between life and death while still alive. Death looms heavily in your gaze. Was it necessary to go this far?”

The War God addressed me with what seemed like either sympathy or doubt, questioning my precarious stance, but immediately a sneer erupted from elsewhere.

“Kehehehe! Kek! With such a rigid mind… Kuluk! How much can you understand! Kihihi!”

“Then do you know the truth? Loser?”

“Is knowing important?! What matters is what you achieve! How can you overlook this achievement and feat!”

“……”

“Kariel! Since it’s come to this, destroy this world! You should be capable of that now, right?!”

“You know him too little. He is not one to commit such a reckless act.”

“Who are you to talk? Listening to you makes me increasingly nauseous!”

They seem to get along really well.

Their words match perfectly.

Swallowing a sigh, I painfully open my mouth.

“What do you think we, the created beings… want from you?”

“……”

The War God remained silent, knowing but unable to give the desired answer, but Ahriman was different.

“There are many desires! But there’s no proper reason why we should grant them! That’s why we bestow appropriate rewards according to how you worship and revere us! Isn’t that a reasonable exchange?”

“The Lord of Light and Wisdom granted free will so that you would revere us of your own accord, inherit that will, and achieve light and goodness.”

“Why do something disadvantageous? I just want to be endlessly joyful and entertained! What’s wrong with not doing what I don’t want to do and only doing what I want? Oh, and if I find joy in passing what I dislike onto others and watching their misery? I might as well enjoy that too. Though I’m not interested in that sort of thing.”

“……”

Long ago.

Who was it? Mother?

I once asked about the difference between angels and demons.

Surprisingly, Mother didn’t give a sophisticated or old-fashioned explanation.

What did she say again?

A demon is a collector and slave trader who gives rewards first and then collects debts in return.

An angel merely guides the way for you to progress on your own.

The Lord, She said, wants us to progress on our own, didn’t She?

“……”

Yes.

This too must be free will.

But in the Irenis faith, such explanations are omitted.

What the War God, what Verethragna, what Bahram Yasht calls the Lord of Light and Wisdom said.

The right to freely choose between good and evil.

The Irenis faith doesn’t explain it, but all its doctrines are naturally premised on this.

Didn’t the Demon King say?

If the Irenis faith were likened to a beast.

It would be the child of all religions, a glutton that has devoured their blood and flesh.

But there’s one reason why this is forgiven:

Love only.

Love.

Love.

Because that is the center, the foundation, the fundamental spirit and will, the doctrine.

That’s why it can be forgiven.

Inheriting good things positively and pursuing a better tomorrow is the given duty of civilization that possesses life and intellect.

…However.

Even this cannot avoid pain and frustration.

Did the Irenis faith fabricate the principle or theory of original sin to rationalize human suffering and hardship?

Or.

…Is it ultimately the same yoke?

Anyway, as long as we’re born and live in this world, we have no freedom.

This is absolute.

Even if we cover our eyes and block our ears, we cannot be free from that curse.

From the moment of birth.

And they instilled in us the fear and dread of death.

Thus, we’ve been bound to life and survival.

Pain upon pain.

Pain of pain.

Why the Demon King wants to know the damn secret of the world’s creation.

Having known and realized so much, it would be even more questionable.

And also.

That knowing too much makes the body bloated and sluggish.

…In the end, the answer is obvious.

But unless confirmed, it’s not certain.

Even if the disappointment and frustration that arises upon confirmation is too absurd.

Still, wanting to know… pursuing knowledge and placing wisdom at one’s feet… that’s the irrational curse of those who seek.

During a rest, Zora told me about Odin, the destroyed chief god.

Was it the curse of knowledge?

Because he realized too deeply and reached too quickly, he became exceptional alone and ended up neither here nor there.

He doubted everything and had no equals.

With only one eye, could he only see one thing?

He was irreplaceably great and magnificent.

But ultimately, because he was great, he voluntarily confined himself in greatness.

If only he had been moderately foolish.

The prophecy might have gone astray.

If only he hadn’t listened.

It might have resolved itself.

“Let’s not overthink this. This isn’t a problem to approach that way…”

I caught my breath, but my physical condition was still miserable.

Literally just intact on the outside.

Yet, despite this state, moving felt surprisingly familiar.

From the beginning, the Demon King had been pushing me hard to make me base myself on this condition, to make this state my foundation.

When your stamina supports you and your strength backs you up, who can’t move?

Failing to do what everyone can do just makes you a fool.

That’s why, when everyone else falls.

Willpower, the patience to endure.

…A person who can genuinely, truly, sincerely arm themselves with true intent and throw themselves toward their goal.

Yet a wise person who doesn’t make foolish decisions that would needlessly kill themselves.

That’s how one can become a warrior who doesn’t die a dog’s death.

And avoid becoming an awkward knight who dies stupidly or inevitably fails and dies.

I’m neither a warrior nor a knight.

But I wish to borrow their strengths.

To do that, I should at least be able to imitate a warrior or knight.

“Let’s listen to the strongest one here. Stop whining so pathetically.”

What I hold in my hand now is the sword I received from Elhermina.

The sword, which fits perfectly in my hand, no longer had pitch-black darkness clinging to it.

Still, thanks to proper maintenance, its condition remained very intact.

“I’d call it cheating, but given your condition, I can hardly complain.”

“Unlike you who have your true selves, no matter how I look at it… I seem to be at a disadvantage?”

While the War God showed an agreeable attitude, Ahriman was full of complaints.

“That’s why you’re the loser.”

“Kik! Kuk! I’ll gladly participate if only to spite you!”

The dark figure staggers and composes itself in response to the provocation.

In real-time, its body scatters like sand dust, like ashes, but.

“At this moment, what audacity do you have to swagger when you’re neither transcendent nor extraordinary? You’re just a mouthful to me right now! How dare you—!”

The black figure swells and transforms into the shape of a giant lizard.

Like a massive earth dragon overflowing across the ground.

“I’ll finish you in one go!”

“If you hadn’t barked so much, I might have shown some leniency.”

“That damn mouth! Mouth! Mooouth—!!”

Ahriman charges toward Verethragna.

And as he throws the golden curved sword back to the warrior, who catches it, its form changes into a giant sword.

The Steel Warrior meets the charge head-on with that sword.

But unlike before, the warrior’s body is hit by Ahriman’s massive form and sent flying.

“Have all powers and abilities truly disappeared? How absurd. This is an unprecedented crisis.”

The Boy, nevertheless, observes the situation calmly and thinks.

Mere circumstances like this cannot break his spirit and heart.

He is both a victor and one who must achieve victory with obsession.

His indomitability is likely the origin and source of my unyielding heart.

“……”

And I too.

Though barely able to move properly, I stood to conserve as much energy as possible while focusing on devising a method in case I had to confront the situation.

Just because my body doesn’t move doesn’t mean it signifies defeat.

Defeat doesn’t exist unless I accept it.

Forced? Call it whatever you want, I don’t care.

I’m not a knight, so I’m not the kind of mild-tempered person who would willingly accept defeat when defeated.

If I were.

…I wouldn’t have come this far.