Ch.248Pride (6)

Right after the fallen angel Dobiel was expelled from his shell, the demons who had been using Dobiel’s existence as a wedge immediately lost their substance and were banished from reality in an instant.

The collapsing insubstantial bodies left no trace as they departed, evaporating without a trace as if they were merely a midsummer night’s dream.

However, it would be entirely incorrect to say that they truly left nothing behind.

First and foremost would be the “corruption”—or in other words, the reality erosion phenomenon caused by magic tainted by the mysteries of the demon realm—which had spread extensively throughout the entire area where they had been active.

Of course, while the traces of corruption were widespread, their intensity wasn’t particularly strong when examined individually. Furthermore, considering that this place was an unexplored territory strongly influenced by other mysteries, these traces were ultimately destined to fade away with time.

Nevertheless, knowing that leaving traces of “corruption” could return as a terrible butterfly effect later, I boldly decided to erase all these traces to eliminate any future problems completely.

Erasing all those widespread traces of corruption one by one would be considerable hard labor, but fortunately, we have kind and honest Gus as our friendly colleague.

The sacred radiance of the Pegasus has the power to “clean” a wide area quite easily, and in fact, it doesn’t even consume any energy for him as it’s a passive ability, so just standing there is sufficient.

Of course, if a little more magical power is additionally consumed, this purifying power becomes even stronger, allowing purification of considerably wide areas without major issues—that’s an added bonus.

Meanwhile, apart from Gus’s purification, there were still legacies of those things that needed to be dealt with.

First, the campsite they left behind. Although it was revealed to be a ritual magic formation, this place called a campsite had corruption that was particularly powerful in its influence.

‘….Let’s use holy water.’

Therefore, after some contemplation, my decision was to use the holy water I had brought in abundance, along with this sacred rocket weapon that I hadn’t been able to use in battle and still had remaining.

—KWAAANG!!!

The formless sacred energy that spread with the explosion struck and destroyed the evil in this space, and instantly blew away all the evil thoughts and remnants of cultists that were close to vengeful spirits left in this place.

For any insufficient areas, I could simply thrust the Unicorn Longsword into the ground or sprinkle the prepared holy water, which generally took care of the campsite easily.

Next, what gave me a headache was their corpses. Particularly the shell-like corpses that seemed to be condensed with evil might need to be soaked in holy water for at least several days.

However—I had one secret plan.

‘….Is this right?’

Although there were some ethically questionable aspects, it was certainly an effective method. That is, the extremely crazy act of blowing up the corpses with consecrated rocket warheads—an approach that would undoubtedly be effective.

Of course, exploding human corpses for whatever reason is definitely something unpleasant to witness, but what else could I do when this was the only method left?

—KWAAANG!!!

After blowing up the corpses into pieces with the remaining rocket warhead, I burned the fragments with Gretel’s magic and then sprinkled holy water on the ashes.

After completing this purification process that was absolutely necessary, even if it might appear somewhat obsessive, I felt the need to also completely finish the cleanup in the spiritual realm, not just the material one—

※ ※ ※

The dream world, or my empty mental landscape.

Looking at the scenery where objects without borders had begun to emerge one by one, I could briefly fall into contemplation and observe the surroundings.

However, that was only for a moment.

‘….Let’s get this over with quickly.’

Since I had never even considered absorbing this thing’s factor in the first place, I was about to decompose the factor into waste and leave with disgust.

【Leaving already?】

‘….?!!’

A presence I hadn’t anticipated at all. The demon lord of ‘Pride’ had personally sent his form into my inner world.

The figure that appeared before me wore only a simple white cloth reminiscent of an ancient Greek toga over his body, without any other decorations or adornments.

Compared to his overwhelming presence and the weight of the name ‘Pride,’ this was clearly a much more humble choice, but paradoxically, such modesty and humility from such a prominent figure only served to highlight his arrogance even more.

Moreover, where the cloth did not cover, perfectly clean and white skin was revealed, flaunting its presence with a unique perfection that seemed to shine.

The face resting gently on the disgustingly elegant neck possessed both masculine and feminine features, but its appearance was closer to a pure work of art than anything else, becoming more beautiful each time I looked at it.

Next to the enchantingly prominent bridge of the nose were beautiful golden eyes reminiscent of beasts or gold.

The gaze of these eyes looking at me contained the natural arrogance and sense of superiority unique to one with unimaginably great power.

Therefore, his appearance was in some sense perfection itself, close to the word “beauty” taking physical form.

It also flaunted an integrity that ephemeral life could never reach, as if proving that he was once the foremost among the Creator’s creations.

Despite the fact that his ugly appearance made of corruption would undoubtedly be filled inside if one were to peel off just one layer of skin, he wraps himself in deceptive holiness that one cannot bear to face directly, thus desecrating everything.

The halo emanating from behind his back is not bright but dark, and simultaneously makes the viewer feel an uneasy malignancy.

A being with six layers of white wings extending from his disgustingly glossy back, harboring an ugly interior while desperately wrapping it in holiness.

‘….Oh…. my…. god.’

‘Pride,’ Lucifer, who harbored evil disguised as holiness, looked at me with an unpleasant smile and opened his mouth.

【Child of Paris, I know you will refuse, but let me ask anyway. Perhaps, would you like to follow me?】

“….As if!”

After barely overcoming the feeling of being crushed by his presence and forcibly conveying my voice, ‘Pride’ immediately made an expression as if he had expected this, and conveyed his intention to me.

【Yes, that will do.】

“….?”

Despite such a prominent figure personally descending, his attitude was excessively light. While I was feeling perplexed by this sense of incongruity, ‘Pride,’ who seemed to have uncannily noticed this, addressed me.

【You’re wondering why I’m not coveting you, aren’t you?】

“…..”

【You’re certainly curious. But there’s no great reason. After all—why should I target someone who’s already destined to fall into hell?】

With a grotesquely distorted expression and sneer that was impossible to believe came from the previously beautiful appearance—a response that could only be described as ‘Pride’ itself—my expression contorted, and he soon opened his mouth without even trying to hide his thoughts.

【You may think of yourself as some kind of precious treasure, but in the end, you’re just the offspring of a worm. Creatures like you are all over the world, and being the firstborn is all you have. But what does that even matter?】

His unpleasant demeanor and disgusting sneer, as if he truly felt no value whatsoever—each word seemed to scrape at my insides, and as irritation began to rise, ‘Pride’ continued with a voice filled with mockery.

【Besides, you’re already destined to suffer, bound by the threads of fate. And when that time comes, you’ll regret it! You’ll wish you had served me! That you shouldn’t have passed up this opportunity!】

But from this point on, I could feel something strange.

After all, for all his eloquent speech, what he was saying boiled down to “you’ll regret not serving me for the rest of your life,” and honestly, I didn’t feel anything upon hearing this.

Especially since the essence of his words was endless pride. Even if he just vaguely cursed that I would someday regret it, without even any intention of temptation, the only emotion it evoked was antipathy.

From the beginning, it might have been right that I didn’t even feel it was worth responding to.

“…..”

I don’t answer. I don’t react. All I leave for him is silence.

And it seems that my behavior wasn’t particularly amusing to him, as after a moment of wondering what I was doing, he suddenly left, as if he had lost interest.

As if he had never existed in the first place.