Ch.28293. Here, Your Master Has Returned (2)

“Damn that son of a bitch who deserves to die—!”

Rashid urgently used his main power to levitate everyone, as if throwing them into the air.

‘To think I’d have to go through this cursed thing again!’

Those touched by the spreading golden color were, without exception, stained with gold.

To avoid it, one had to eliminate any bodily surface area that could be touched.

This was the fundamental reason why Rashid himself became one of the Nine Heroes.

Though he wielded all sorts of arcane arts including sorcery and non-magical mysteries,

the reason he was elevated to a being who could stand against the Demon Lord was, simply, because of this one ability.

The ability to levitate surrounding objects and people over a wide area, or simultaneously, with almost no restrictions.

Thanks to this ability, he was considered a mutant even among his own kind since childhood.

Even after learning from sorcerers and witches, he often disguised this ability as just one of many things he had learned.

But in the end, this cursed innate ability saved the world.

“Everyone, stay alert!”

At the same time, his head turned frantically.

He instantly levitated those he deemed most crucial, selecting key individuals and lifting their bodies into the air in an instant.

…But the golden color expanded, its infection spreading so rapidly.

Despite his immediate response, he had rescued only a tiny fraction.

But.

‘Something’s strange.’

That he could rescue everyone so easily, so effortlessly.

It doesn’t make sense from the beginning.

‘Could it be…?’

An ominous premonition.

After a moment’s contemplation, he realized it had hit the mark.

‘Have I been fooled again?’

Excessive, exaggerated movements and flashy visual effects attempting something.

But what if that itself was just an exaggerated performance?

What if in reality, everything had already been dealt with beforehand?

“……”

Rashid looked around.

Everyone was addressing him with various opinions and words.

But what if all of this was an illusion? A misconception? Fiction and fantasy?

“Damn…”

To end up like this despite never letting his guard down.

If so, then already, already that bastard…

====

“Hmmmm.”

The Demon Lord rested her buttocks in mid-air, propping her chin.

Her splendid figure naturally drew attention.

But as for those who could clearly see her now…

There wasn’t a single one under the heavens.

“How unexpected.”

Nevertheless.

Even in the midst of this, to think there would be someone who deliberately lowered their head.

Someone who remained sane…

“Truly unexpected. Isn’t that so?”

Ermina.

“……”

Thanks to the barrier Ermina had formed, at least many of her companions seemed to have been prevented from falling into an endless conscious quagmire.

But even that was barely holding on.

“Yes. Like fish in water. Indeed, chaos and turmoil are like lakes and seas for you two, aren’t they?”

“……”

Ermina crouched low, holding a massive pure white cross-shaped staff that she had gripped at some point, using it for support.

Uniquely around her, a pure white light was cast, preventing the golden color from invading that domain.

“Or perhaps you’re still hopelessly trapped in the scenario I’ve laid out?”

“……”

In this situation where everyone except Ermina had half-lost consciousness, probably only she and her husband Lueld remained fully aware.

However, there was no hero to rescue them.

Because Lueld had disappeared with Kariel without warning.

Ermina had no way of knowing.

It wasn’t just a matter of physical force taking him away.

Like how Lutesia was confined before, a separate divine realm was formed to take him to that domain.

‘Did that snake woman cooperate?’

It wouldn’t be difficult.

If the Kariel of that world and the Kariel of this world weren’t fighting to the death, there would be no reason for her to refuse Kariel’s request.

“Because of you…”

Hmm?

“Because of you… even in death… you won’t leave us… leave us alone? Why! Why do you torment us so much?”

“What do you want me to do about it?”

The Demon Lord snorted and poured out mockery.

“What do you want me to do? You speak as if this situation was caused by me? Are you in your right mind?”

“Then are you saying it’s not?!”

Ermina.

She displays unusually agitated emotions, rare for her.

But regardless.

For the Demon Lord, it’s nothing but useless venting.

She’s not generous enough to sympathize or express understanding for such things.

Rather.

…If anything, she would mock and ridicule.

“No. Rather, this situation is the fruit of your foolishness and sins, isn’t it?”

“You, you were the one who seduced that child, weren’t you?!”

“No. No. That’s not it, Ermina. Let me correct your misconception. I declare that I did not seduce anyone. Yes. Rather, it’s the opposite. I am clearly the victim here!”

“!!!”

Kariel seduced me, you say I used trickery? Well?

From the beginning, the Demon Lord only watched over Kariel, not wanting to intervene or get involved.

Expectation was a remote emotion for her from the start.

Without expectations, there was no disappointment, no frustration, no despair, not even resignation.

She simply focused on what needed to be done with cold detachment.

The results were just something to observe.

Some things don’t work out no matter how hard you try.

Conversely, some things work out even with minimal effort.

The affairs of the world are like a very complex machine.

And a being like me, bound to such a world, is just a part of its components.

But if you don’t like that?

Then you should escape.

For some, even giving up might be part of that structure.

But I simply couldn’t accept that.

“It was you who drove that child to this point. How desperate must the ghost of the Pope have been to anoint your child as the ancestor of the empire and the child of revelation, to lead that child to me?”

“W-what… what are you saying? I-I don’t understand…”

Beyond belief or disbelief.

Ermina couldn’t understand the implications of the Demon Lord’s words, nor could she accept them even if she tried.

Ermina’s already pale and precarious complexion turned even more ashen.

“……”

And yet.

Despite her physical condition.

Despite her mental state being so precarious.

You still don’t look like you’re going to collapse.

What a strange breed you are. That woman too.

“Believing me or not is your freedom. But the clear fact is that you drove that child to that point. That’s obvious and something you cannot deny, isn’t it?”

“……”

“You know better than anyone else, even without me telling you. As you repeatedly say when you’re bored.”

Mea culpa. Mea culpa.

“Or was that just some ritualistic chant? What should I say, something you just formally mention?”

“……”

“Kariel’s reticence is solely because he takes after you.”

If he had taken after Lueld, he would surely have been talkative.

The more difficult, the more adversity struck.

…Lueld was the kind of guy who talked more in such situations.

He might have changed a bit after aging, but fundamentals don’t just disappear.

“Or perhaps it’s thanks to your excellent upbringing? Something like ‘talking too much harms oneself more than others, and eventually endangers the world,’ some justification like that?”

“……”

“But that’s right, isn’t it? So there’s no need to feel guilty. Be proud. It seems Kariel has learned, according to your upbringing, not to speak unnecessarily. Wasn’t that the firmness you’ve been demanding from that child all along? Oh, wait, was it not?”

As the Demon Lord spoke, she kept grinning with a cunning expression, seemingly quite satisfied.

Despite not wanting to look at such a sight.

Ermina could perceive her state just from her tone, as if she had painted it in her mind.

“What do you… what do you know about us!”

“No. No. At least I know much better than you, who are so immature. I’d say I know dozens of times better?”

The world is truly simple.

Even if it becomes complex when you dig deeper, there’s no need to delve so deeply into such matters.

“That’s why the result is in this state, isn’t it? If you have any objections to my words, feel free to refute them clearly.”

“…I will not be swayed by your bewitching tongue.”

“Ah! Trying to escape again? Well, I suppose I know Kariel better than you two, so it can’t be helped.”

Yes, that’s right.

In fact.

“He wouldn’t deny that I’m essentially his mother now. If he’s willing to call me back here after separating, that child already—”

“Someone like you—! You! In front of whom! To whom do you dare—!”

Hahahahaha!

Even that enraged look is pleasing.

The Demon Lord couldn’t stop her laughter.

Ah, this is quite entertaining.

Truly delightful.

“While others’ misfortune is my happiness, this case is certainly exceptional. Very interesting.”

But it’s truly amusing.

“I haven’t done anything special, yet you’re self-destructing in front of me. This, this is a unique kind of entertainment. There’s no comedy like this.”

Once again, the Great Demon Lord’s foresight has proven accurate.

It has been very effective.

Yes. I remember.

That person said:

If you ever want to take revenge on someone,

instead, love them deeply.

And so, love them deeply and deeply, until they also love you deeply.

Die most miserably in front of them.

Be most wretchedly broken.

Be so ruthlessly shattered.

Then, wouldn’t that be the ultimate revenge?

If that’s not enough,

set one more trap.

Die by the hand of the one they love and trust most.

And then.

By their own hands.

Make them kill you.

Make them break you.

Make them shatter you.

Thus, make those dear to each other tear each other apart bitterly.

Truly, that end without victory, where only the purest defeat and the worst despair are born.

Such a tragic end to a tragedy.

…Isn’t that very tragedy of tragedies the ultimate revenge we can pursue?

Yes. Revenge should at least follow such aesthetics.

What do you think?

If even that is not enough.

Isn’t that too crude to be called revenge?

There’s not enough pain, anger, despair.

It means you can’t treat the other with both hatred and love.

Ah, this too is a crude tragedy.

“Hmm, somewhat different from what I intended.”

But if the result is satisfactory.

“Hehe.”

She had once told those who pursued conspiracy and intrigue:

Our strategist must never directly kill the opponent.

But their death will be decorated with the most intense end.

We only indirectly drive them to failure and downfall, to the point where they have no choice but to die.

Slowly, calmly.

Savoring and enjoying even that process.

That’s what we’ve been calling the aesthetics of curse and revenge.

‘Killing is too easy.’

I hope you survive for a long, long time, eternally, constantly despairing, frustrated, and suffering.

At least that much.

…Isn’t that revenge?

How can you just kill them outright!

That’s! That’s too…!

…merciful, isn’t it?

At this rate, you’re not a Demon Lord but a hero.

Or perhaps a saint.

For the sake of making an example, for the authority and dignity of the king, for domination and rule, killing or massacring someone might be understandable.

But to send off the object of revenge in such a way.

…Are you afraid of them? To the point where you can’t bear not killing them immediately?

“Haha! Hahaha!”

Ah, I might be too caught up in the excitement.

By now, thanks to Ermina’s barrier, the rest of the rabble began to regain consciousness one by one.

Despite overlaying their consciousness to make them fall into delusions.

As expected, being experienced, they’ve managed to come out of it.

“…To make me experience this cursed thing again. I’ve truly suffered!”

The dwarf was the first to regain consciousness.

Subsequently, the rest of the personnel began to return to reality one by one.

“…How wretched.”

The Emperor contemplated with his eyes tightly shut.

“……”

The rest of the personnel also kindled their will and spirit in silence and tranquility.

“Yes. Even this is an excellent miscalculation.”

No matter how much time has passed and you’ve aged.

For me, if you had collapsed and crumbled so easily.

I would have been quite disappointed.

‘Time is impermanent.’

And cruel.

But in a way, isn’t it fortunate?

If this calamity had occurred when they were buried in graves, or when they were too old to move anymore?

If that had happened, I would have been greatly… disappointed.

And due to the anger from such disappointment.

…I wonder how far I would have crossed the line.

That’s a bit curious.

I don’t have separate expectations.

But still, when such tempting prey is dangled before me.

Even for someone with patience as vast as the sea.

Wouldn’t it be a bit appetizing!

“Have we had a similar bet before, you fools over there?”

The Demon Lord smirked, examining her luscious hands.

“The moment you’re defeated here, the lives of all the imperial people within my domain. That, I might not be able to guarantee. Ah? Just saying. You understand, right?”

“Demon Lord! How far do you intend to be wicked?!”

The Emperor exclaimed.

“My, my. The weak dog barks again. Ahahaha!”

Regardless.

The Demon Lord just snickered and laughed heartily, speaking only her own words.

‘Well, I’ve thrown the bait, now do as you wish.’

The Demon Lord inwardly sneered.

‘Pushed to this extent, even your father would find it hard to maintain composure.’

What do you think?

Kariel?

“Now, let’s all dance joyfully together. You fools who have reached the starting point of the finale. Praise your fate, placed at the end point of a new beginning.”

Yes. What was this called again?

As she briefly immersed herself in contemplation with open eyes.

“Everyone! Don’t get distracted and be prepared!”

The Emperor shouted with emphasis.

“Hey! Meli! Don’t lose your mind no matter what! You’re the only one who can respond magically!”

Nedeth urged the Empress repeatedly, sweating profusely.

“Argh! Damn it all!”

Rashid levitated everyone into the air.

“……”

Ermina quietly focused on maintaining the sacred domain.

“…Ah, yes. We must endure.”

The Empress, Melineos, also met the Emperor’s eyes, bit her lip firmly, and put strength into her eyes.

“That idiot Gazef…”

Seeing him stuck like a golden statue in the spectator seats outside the barrier, Nedeth spewed a string of curses.

“Shiririk.”

Loroana effortlessly glided through the air, controlling her body as it soared, looking around.

Despite having worked together for more than a decade.

Strangely, they unified their opinions in seconds with just a few words.

But.

The calamity had already begun.

From the golden mouth, unintelligible verses like a song began to flow.

“Bloody worm, beneath the decaying remains lies the saint’s tomb, gaze upon the remains of the holy failure resting at its end.”

Once again.

The world and I.

And between you and me, the time has come to fulfill the holy and vile covenant.

“Ah, how fleeting. Like a dream. A naive fairy tale. A glorious epic of valor. Even this will be decorated as another intense myth.”

Sleepless, fleeting dream.

But an illusion. Fiction. Delusion. Falsehood.

“A moment’s ideal. Can even a faded dream compare to a toy played with by a child?”

I am finally darkness.

Darkness that embraces the lost.

I am also light.

The dawn that illuminates the path of wanderers seeking their way.

“I am light and darkness. Eternal wandering. Eternal salvation. Eternal longing. Eternal worship.”

And.

“Eternal love.”

Love is sweet yet bitter, arduous and abstruse.

I, who am pain, am harsh and will devour you entirely from within you.

I, who am pleasure, am soft and cozy, filling you abundantly, but all of it will overflow endlessly.

“……”

Ah.

O world.

If you are still an unopened bud.

“You shall bloom.”

At the end of this world.

At the edge of the other world.

“Until the day when all are born, live, die, and perish.”

You shall bloom.

You shall bloom.

You will bloom, and bloom again.

“That is our.”

Holy.

Incomparably vile.

“Covenant.”

……

End.

As the golden lips finally closed, filling the void and emptiness with nothingness.

Eventually, the world…

Perfectly, with gold and darkness, and the contradictory color of light, all jumbled together.

As if overlaying all clarity.

Was covered in an instant.

If one could perceive it.

It would surely be.

A wonder like no other.

Because one could never witness it in life.

It was surely a dramatic and beautiful wonder.

A destructive wonder that could melt even the soul.