Ch.183183. Sunrise of the Republic

The remaining Greater Demon was now just one.

Valkyria looked around while avoiding fragments of the collapsing banquet hall ceiling. She glared at Stella’s holy power that had already spread widely like a cage, and the spear she had been firmly gripping loosened.

In my opinion, Valkyria was the Greater Demon with the most demonic impression. The wings on her back resembled those of an angel, but her skin color and eyes were the very image of demons known from the previous Earth.

[I think we need to hurry.]

Stella whispered that it was becoming difficult to handle any more holy power.

Since it seemed unwise to drag this out any longer, I raised my head to look up at Valkyria.

The Greater Demon of Struggle.

Like Magan of Gluttony or Dune of Pride, each Greater Demon had a special domain related to their title.

Magan grew exponentially stronger through banquets, while Dune’s power amplified in duels of pride.

As her title suggested, Valkyria was clearly a Greater Demon related to combat, but had she ever truly engaged in struggle since coming here?

When facing Feiren, it was merely a warm-up.

Fighting me was just a fleeting moment.

When she met Stella, she could only run away without putting up any resistance.

With combat situations that were nothing more than one-sided violence repeating continuously, Valkyria seemed powerless, making her title of “Struggle” seem meaningless.

As I tensed, wondering if she would die embracing her pride as a Greater Demon like Dune or show a different side…

“I surrender.”

Clang!

Her expression, which had been distorted with shame and anger, relaxed as her spear fell to the floor.

At this unexpected declaration, Stella and I momentarily locked eyes, checking if we’d both heard correctly.

A clean surrender declaration that made her title of “Struggle” seem meaningless. Valkyria folded her wings and descended. Since Stella’s flames were burning on the ground, Valkyria climbed onto the collapsed ceiling debris and knelt without hesitation.

“I’ve lost. But would killing me truly be the path to the future you desire?”

Her brazen tone was almost absurd. But Valkyria had her own negotiation card to survive.

“What do you think will happen if all the Greater Demons in the Republic die now?”

“…”

“While Magan with his crown handled internal affairs alone, Clark Republic is a truly delectable land created by us four demons.”

She was saying that since the country was created by Greater Demons each adding their own preferences, other demons would inevitably covet it.

“The moment all four Greater Demons die, other Greater Demons will come to this land.”

“And you can prevent that?”

“Of course! Not only that, I can also prevent the aftermath of this incident.”

That was actually my biggest concern.

Unintentionally, I had brought down the Republic. I had killed Magan, who was essentially its pillar.

Could I say, “Now everything ends happily ever after!”?

Even if it was a rule like a thorny iron cage, law is law.

If the iron cage suddenly disappears in an abnormal way, what remains is not a sense of achievement from gaining freedom, but only chaos.

Another Magan might try to appear. Or it could transform into a lawless zone and regress. There was also a significant possibility that external pressure would pour in, causing the very name of the Republic to fade.

‘This is especially a perfect situation to become prey for neighboring countries.’

They were invited to the banquet, but all the distinguished guests from those countries were massacred.

Magan had tried to plant his spies in other countries using tobacco and insects, but…

The plan was essentially thwarted, and all that remained were miserable corpses.

‘Already…’

The Clark Republic was effectively finished.

With justification, there would be diplomatic pressure, and some countries might even directly wage war to tear it apart.

“If I’m here, I can…!”

“What bullshit.”

A voice like a threatening beast came from beside me.

Findenai approached through the flames with an axe slung over her shoulder, glaring at Valkyria.

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

“Findenai…”

What was surprising was that Valkyria knew Findenai. And what emanated from her voice wasn’t hostility but gladness.

“You’ll take responsibility? What exactly would you do in this already ruined country?”

“…”

“In the end, you’re just telling us to go back into the fence you created. All that crap about greater good, justification! The same bullshit about the future!”

Thud!

Her blood-red eyes were filled with hatred, and her sharp fangs were coated with struggle.

This was Findenai, the leader of the junkyard.

“It’s ridiculous and absurd! Though the situation is unexpected, I won’t kick away the freedom that’s come just because I’m afraid to take responsibility.”

Valkyria asked Findenai as if testing her:

“Can you withstand the chaos and external pressure that will follow?”

“Yeah, you fucking bitch.”

“…”

“We’ve stubbornly survived even under your shitty oppression. It’ll be the same this time too.”

Findenai wasn’t talking about protecting the country called Clark Republic. Even if it was her homeland, she was far from patriotic.

Removing the leashes of those who lived like livestock despite being human in this land.

Hoping others wouldn’t experience the pain and fierce life she had endured.

Findenai, who had only wished for that, spoke with determination.

[She got told off.]

“Indeed.”

I acknowledged that I had been persuaded by Findenai after briefly feeling conflict and concern at Valkyria’s words. If asked who should judge the freedom that had come to Clark Republic, it was naturally Findenai, who had fought the longest and most passionately on the front lines.

“Heh.”

Looking at Findenai, Valkyria let out a hollow laugh. Along with the burst of laughter, her eyes held deep regret.

Findenai glared at Valkyria and drew her axe again. Holy flames spread across the axe stuck in the ground, creating a spectacular display.

“At least let me do the final part.”

The final blow for Clark Republic’s freedom.

Stella and I humbly stepped back, while Valkyria remained kneeling, looking up at Findenai.

“Findenai, you are truly a great woman.”

“What?”

The words that came out of Valkyria’s mouth were quite unexpected. The complete opposite of her earlier begging for her life.

Both Stella and I knew that the turning point was Findenai’s appearance.

“Do you know why we Greater Demons established the Republic?”

“…”

“After a very ancient war, we no longer wanted to fight. But our desires still remained.”

I had heard from Vellica.

Long ago, there was a war among demons, and those who survived are now called Greater Demons.

‘This setting didn’t appear in the game.’

Since demons didn’t play such a significant role in the game, I didn’t know these inside details.

“It was to fulfill those desires. This land was a massive dining table for Gluttony.”

Magan, who had turned many humans into livestock, had been eating them directly.

“For Worship, it was a stage to stand on wearing the mask of a god.”

Since Clark Republic had so many tragedies, there were many people calling for gods. Feiren, the Greater Demon of Worship, probably acted as many gods as the tails he possessed, feeding on the beliefs of the Republic’s people.

“And a place where coldness and tragedy mixed, making human pride burn even brighter.”

Dune, the Greater Demon of Pride.

Oppressive Salvation Corps members and the resistance fighting against tyranny. He had enjoyed watching the pride many people carried in their hearts.

And finally…

“I felt pleasure watching all of you fight with your lives on the line.”

“You damn bitch.”

The reason Findenai was listening to the demon’s last words was in case Valkyria might spit out any information I might need.

But unable to bear it any longer, Findenai cursed and glanced slightly in my direction.

I nodded.

There was nothing more to hear.

The reason why the Greater Demons created the Republic was an utterly trivial matter.

The raised axe.

Despite the approach of the end of her long life, Valkyria was looking solely at Findenai.

“Ah, aah. How beautiful you are.”

“…”

“Your life was struggle. Purely struggle itself. Findenai.”

“I hated that.”

“I’m sure you did. Having lived such a life myself, I understand.”

Valkyria, who had fought so many battles that she earned the name Greater Demon of Struggle.

She seemed like a drug addict addicted to the stimulation and excitement of struggle.

[She must have lived vicariously through Findenai.]

“How disgusting.”

Valkyria had felt satisfaction watching Findenai, whose life she called pure struggle.

How many Findenais had passed through Valkyria throughout the Republic’s history?

And if we hadn’t stopped her here, how many more of her substitutes would have been created?

“You understand, don’t you? Killing me means throwing yourself back into a struggle with no end in sight.”

“It’s the same as it’s always been.”

“Hehe, though I regret not seeing your life beyond me.”

Looking at the axe plunging toward her, Valkyria bid farewell.

“Congratulations on your liberation, and blessings on the struggles to come.”

Crack!

Valkyria’s body, with its severed head, was immediately buried in Stella’s flames.

Instantly turned to ash and gone, Valkyria disappeared. And with the confirmation of the Greater Demons’ deaths, Stella’s holy power quickly faded.

Even though the white flames had extinguished, light was now descending on the collapsed banquet hall.

The rising sun.

Suddenly, I felt the observation that the sun also rises in Clark Republic.

Though it was completely natural, the scene felt strangely awkward.

“Phew.”

Looking at the sunrise announcing a new day for the Republic, Findenai let out a sigh filled with various concerns.

Nothing was over yet.

Though we had dealt with Magan, who was the center, and the other hidden masterminds.

Because of that, Clark Republic would be little different from a lawless zone for a while.

To take responsibility for creating such a land, Findenai was determined to work even harder.

“Could you give me some space for a moment?”

[Of course.]

I walked steadily, watching Findenai’s back.

Stella, who had considerately given us space, was immediately approached by the Dark Spiritmaster who had been avoiding her due to her holy power.

[I understand you worked hard this time. Come here. As your senior, I have something to say.]

[Fufu, so you’re my senior, Dark Spiritmaster.]

[There are rules even for a necromancer’s ghost, you know? First of all, that relaxed laugh is forbidden.]

I pretended not to hear whatever nonsense he was about to say and stood beside Findenai.

She briefly rolled her eyes to look at me, then went back to taking in the view of the Republic.

Thanks to the complete collapse of the banquet hall, there was an overwhelming sense of liberation. We were essentially outside now.

Beyond the horizon, beneath the sunrise, was the Republic’s capital, Clockwork.

“It was definitely a brutally savage neighborhood, but looking at it from up here, it’s actually quite pretty.”

I nodded in agreement with Findenai’s observation. Of course, the sight of soldiers moving urgently looked quite unsightly.

“It’s going to be quite a tough time, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

It will be a difficult time.

The Greater Demons escaped responsibility through death, and those remaining must deal with the aftermath they left behind.

“The Republic itself might disappear.”

“That wouldn’t be so bad.”

With a brief laugh, Findenai nodded. Her tone suggested she truly didn’t care if such a country disappeared.

“We had such a dramatic meeting, and now we meet again after quite some time.”

“Indeed.”

Come to think of it, after saving Findenai, I was immediately defeated by Magan.

I realized this was my first conversation with Findenai since then.

“There was something I wanted to ask, but if I ask now, I think I’ll just end up with regrets.”

Still keeping her eyes on Clockwork, Findenai squatted down and took out some tobacco.

She didn’t light it, just held it in her mouth as a consideration for me, but…

I slowly extended my finger toward her, with a small flame at its tip.

“What’s this about?”

“Just for today.”

Findenai immediately lit her tobacco and inhaled appreciatively. The long trail of smoke was quickly swept away by the high-altitude wind.

“Aren’t you going to ask what you wanted to know?”

Her tone was sulky, as if disappointed.

After thinking for a moment, I smiled slightly.

“If it would leave regrets, it’s better not to ask.”

“…Damn, you’re so cold.”

Findenai smoked her tobacco with her lips pursed. Amusingly, the sight seemed cute.

“So don’t ask.”

“Fine, I won’t ask. Just die of curiosity.”

“Instead, I’ll answer.”

“…Huh?”

I slowly turned to face her. As Findenai, who had been squatting, stood up as if entranced…

I embraced her.

Very.

Carefully.

“Ah…”

The tobacco fell to the ground with a thud.

Not understanding what was happening to her, Findenai let out a gasp like a young maiden.

That was truly.

To a laughable degree.

Lovely, so…

“I think I have feelings similar to yours.”

To be honest.

I’m not sure.

Compared to the pure devotion Deus felt for Illuania.

This feeling blooming in my dull emotions seemed truly meager, but…

At least I could tell it was of the same kind as the emotion he had made me feel.

Findenai, her body stiff, couldn’t say anything. Only the sound of strong wind broke our silence, but…

Whoosh.

Burrowing into my arms like a child, Findenai whispered in a small voice:

“Think? Similar? You bastard, are you going to speak so ambiguously?”

“…This is the best I can do right now.”

“You’re totally testing me.”

Despite her criticism, Findenai’s hands around my waist didn’t loosen.

So I continued:

“I’ll try to give you the answer you want.”

I was certain that moment would come someday. Through her warmth, I felt that I too could change, unlike before.

“Do whatever you want. I’m not smart, so I might forget, so I’ll tell you in advance.”

Squeeze.

Findenai tightened her grip and lowered her head even more to hide her face, yet clearly declared:

“I fucking love you, master.”