Ch.29798. In the End, It Has Come (2)

“W-What’s going on?!”

Ensia trembled violently, frozen in place as she cautiously observed the situation.

Yet the two leading the way seemed completely unfazed.

“Stop making such a fuss.”

At first, Ensia thought he was speaking to her, but that wasn’t the case.

…

A terrible silence buried in the swirling snowstorm created an inexplicable stillness.

“If I had intended to exterminate you, I wouldn’t have approached like this.”

E-Exterminate? Who’s exterminating whom?!

-…Are you saying you’ll leave us alone?

“That depends on you.”

The man, Kariel, spoke matter-of-factly, as if simply stating facts.

-What are you plotting?

“…”

He remained silent for a moment.

“For many races, including humans, your existence would be formidable competition. That’s a natural process in its own way.”

-Hmm.

A deep groan shook the air like the breath of a massive being immersed in contemplation.

“That doesn’t give me reason to exterminate you.”

-…You’ve already become that kind of being, haven’t you?

At the voice coming from the side, all the gazes that had been fixed on us shifted in that direction.

The sight of those enormous eyes changing their focus was itself… awe-inspiring.

These weren’t simply giant magical beasts or monsters.

They clearly possessed intelligence, but unlike the clumsy and inadequate intelligence of humans and other races, theirs had clearly reached a level of supremacy.

At least some of them had.

-Then why have you come to this land? If not to bind our freedom and use us as you wish, what reason could there be?

“I’ve been allocated this territory.”

-Territory? What territory? By whom?

“The master of this world.”

-…

Among the monsters, groans and sighs intermingled audibly.

Beyond bewilderment to incomprehension, yet unable to express their emotions or even complain, they could only groan.

Concerned that their authority and dignity would crumble if they remained silent, these massive beings felt compelled to respond… but understanding their situation made them appear somewhat pitiful.

Ensia, still trembling, seemed to be desperately praying for this situation to pass quickly.

‘How interesting.’

Elehermina silently observed the situation.

What was truly surprising was that such beings clearly understood the concepts of negotiation and intimidation, and had surrounded us with that understanding.

In fact, if only Kariel and Elehermina herself had appeared in this land, perhaps they would have… continued throwing their subordinates at them until all their minions were annihilated?

But here were Ensia, who could be considered a weakness, and the two human youngsters she was responsible for.

…In other words, if they attacked, their targets wouldn’t be Kariel and Elehermina, but… those children.

The problem was…

‘They probably realized it right after surrounding us.’

Even that wouldn’t be easy.

Their reason might not understand, but their wild instincts, their intuition, would have warned them.

-You’re not threatening us to retreat from this land, to leave.

“…”

To this, Kariel opened his eyes slightly and asked.

“The opposite.”

-Opposite?

“From the moment I arrived, you should abandon any thoughts of expanding outward.”

-T-That means…

“Isn’t it enough? Just this surrounding territory.”

Or is it insufficient?

-…

How could such calm words sound so frightening, so threatening?

The monster kings all trembled, showing extreme vigilance against the threat, their eyes bloodshot.

-Can you alone face all of us?!

“I am the one who defeated Hero Rueld. I am his blood kin. And the being who brought you to this land is my master.”

Kariel remained calm.

“If you can’t comprehend with that empty head of yours that even my bothering to talk like this is mercy for you… then yes, test me directly.”

-Grrrr!

Though he only trembled, the air and ground where he stood shook naturally.

-That’s enough.

-Have we fallen so low as to be disrespected like this?! Even that hero didn’t dare encroach on our territory! Yet you dare threaten us just because you defeated him once!

-Do you really think so?

At another monster king’s question, the one who had been howling in rage suddenly closed his mouth.

“If you’re not going to attack, stop making a fuss. We’ll be seeing each other for a while anyway.”

With those words, Kariel looked back as if signaling to leave.

“Hmph!”

When Elehermina let out a small snort, the monster king who was about to rage again—

“…”

-Ugh!

As Elehermina flashed her blue eyes, the monster king who was about to thrust his face forward as if to pounce suddenly jerked his head back.

-If one lacks good instincts, one should at least be quick-witted.

With just Kariel alone, the situation was already dire, but what about the woman beside him?

She too must be no less a calamity than Kariel.

-Sigh.

Moreover, the compatibility was the worst.

That woman, if she wished, could not only thaw this snowy mountain and frozen wasteland but cover it all in flames… a true calamity.

…Where were such beings coming from one after another?

With just one of them, not only expansion but even defending this area would require tremendous effort.

-Then believing in that promise… we shall withdraw.

Finally, after exchanging glances, the monster kings instantly concealed their overwhelming presence, traces, and signs.

That in itself was remarkable.

“A promise, huh? Did I make such a thing? Do they not understand their position?”

Elehermina finally let out a mocking laugh.

“That’s what they want to believe. Don’t be too harsh. Oppressing the weak is an ugly act.”

“…Kariel. Beings that can converse with those creatures might number just over ten on the entire continent. Isn’t it rather arrogant of you to call them weak?”

“…”

Kariel, seemingly wanting to avoid unnecessary responses, just shook his head slightly.

“Fine. I get it.”

Let’s go.

Kariel’s soft voice clearly registered in Ensia’s ears.

“Ugh…”

What exactly are they?

With a dazed mind, half-stunned, Ensia struggled to follow the two.

After traveling without rest for about half a day like this.

Normally, moving so quickly and smoothly would be nearly impossible, but.

Perhaps because of those two, not only monsters but even the extreme cold felt like nothing more than a cool breeze as they continued on.

“…”

For having circled around the mountain, they had traversed the area incredibly quickly, but this was still just the entrance to the region known as the Seven Mountains.

“At this rate, it will take another day or two.”

“It’s quite nice as a walk, isn’t it?”

A w-walk? This?

Ensia felt like she was losing her mind again.

“…That might be true for you.”

Kariel, giving Ensia a glance, shook his head slightly.

“This should be far enough.”

With those words, Kariel positioned himself between Ensia and Elehermina.

“…”

In an instant.

What had appeared as a shadow grew darker and darker.

Eventually, even the area that seemed like shade was swallowed up in one breath.

Before they knew it, the entire surrounding area was buried in pitch-black darkness.

“Wh-What?!”

Ensia exclaimed in shock.

But then?

“Huh?”

After closing her eyes tightly in confusion and opening them again.

…The space that had resembled the entrance to a ravine where they had been standing was completely gone.

They were now situated on a plateau high enough to overlook the ground below.

Three of the seven towering, rugged peaks were visible in the distance.

…This was very strange.

It was night now. With frost and snowstorms raging, visibility should be extremely limited.

Yet the distant landscape was clearly visible.

“Is this the place?”

“…”

As Kariel nodded and moved forward, Elehermina followed.

Ensia hurriedly followed behind them.

Just by turning in a different direction.

Behold the wide, flat expanse of the plateau, spread out like a vast plain.

‘Breathing…’

Except for some difficulty breathing… yes, the cold had subsided somewhat, making it somewhat bearable?

However, it wasn’t exactly warm either.

…It’s just that the lower areas had been abnormally cold.

“Hmm.”

As Kariel looked around, he suddenly began stacking stones one by one.

“What are you doing?”

“Building an altar.”

“An altar? Why? Are you going to pray to someone?”

“…I should at least inform the spirits of this place and its original owners.”

“Spirits? Original owners? Are there such things?”

“…Yes. They’re just not visible.”

More precisely, they can’t be seen clearly.

It’s because the material world is divided so clearly into domains that it can maintain peace.

“Is that really necessary?”

At Elehermina’s question, Kariel shook his head.

“Not absolutely, but there’s no need to make enemies with neighbors we’ll see often.”

“Like visitors from foreign lands greeting the locals, something like that?”

“Exactly.”

Ensia, who had set down the man and the child to one side.

After following behind Kariel and Elehermina…

‘What are they talking about?’

She couldn’t understand what they were saying.

“I’ll start tomorrow morning, so get some rest.”

“Start what?”

“…”

Kariel, who had quietly knelt down with his back straight and hands on his thighs, fell into silence.

“Sigh.”

Was she being ignored?

Elehermina grumbled, sounding a bit disappointed.

“Like I said, you should rest too while you can.”

“Ah, yes… I will.”

Ensia watched as Elehermina walked away in a somewhat cheerful gait.

“…”

What exactly is going on here?

====

Ensia suddenly opened her eyes from her light sleep.

“Ugh…”

The man and the child who had been tossed to one side were groaning as if dying, twisting and writhing like caterpillars in an unsightly manner.

“You’re awake?”

Elehermina, looking the same as yesterday, smiled brightly.

Since Ensia still didn’t know her identity, or even her name, she could only nod awkwardly.

“Bring them too. It won’t hurt to see this.”

See what?

Eventually, starting by kicking the writhing man.

“…I am Duberin.”

“Beldes. Please call me that.”

The man was Duberin. The child was Beldes.

Anyway, after introducing herself to them, Ensia led the two toward the stone tower where Kariel had been positioned yesterday.

He was already standing there, and turned his head to greet the three.

“You’ve come.”

Kariel exhaled softly.

“…From today, this land is our territory, our domain.”

“What does that mean?”

Duberin scratched his head in confusion.

“In terms of the material world, it might seem like planting a flag in random land, but this is the domain given to me by the master of this world.”

“The master of this world?”

“Just understand it that way for now. There’s no benefit in knowing more right now.”

“…”

Unlike the man, the child remained quiet.

“But where exactly is this place…”

Just then, intense light began pouring in from the side in the distance.

“Huh?”

The sun was rising.

And then.

“…”

A jet-black sword formed above Kariel’s hand.

No, it wasn’t a sword…

More precisely, it was a massive spear with a flag.

Kariel thrust it into the ground with all his might.

Boom!

A sound that shouldn’t have been audible somehow reached everyone’s ears as if it were real.

“…”

Kariel stood with his eyes closed for a moment.

Then he spoke to Elehermina.

“As long as this remains in this area, no divine being will be able to invade here freely.”

“Is that so?”

A massive flag-spear, invisible yet somehow visible.

Of course, just because Elehermina could see it didn’t mean others could.

“Spying will also be impossible.”

In other words, this domain cannot be violated or defiled by any laws other than those of the material world.

In the future, beings from outside might invade this domain according to the laws and principles of the material world.

…In other words.

No other means will be possible.

This place will, over time, become sacred ground, be called a demon realm.

It will be known as forbidden ground, sacred territory, and will become someone’s sanctuary, training ground, hiding place, a great place of cultivation.

“…”

Even if.

Even if the master of this world changes in a great event.

As long as this world isn’t flipped over, broken, shattered, or destroyed.

This promise, this proclamation, this declaration will never fade.

“But isn’t that too abstract?”

At Elehermina’s legitimate criticism, Kariel nodded slightly.

“Yes, it is.”

That’s why explanation is necessary.

“And that’s why faith is needed.”

Just as he had believed in the Demon King.

And also…

Just as he had somehow followed what Grandeus would leave behind.

If he had tried to explain it verbally, to understand it intellectually.

It would all have seemed like empty, extremely irrational, abnormal delusions.

Who can guarantee that those who believe what they want to believe will approach the truth?

We have been deceived by lies, deception, and countless delusions, constantly worrying and agonizing.

And ultimately screaming in despair.

That’s how we’ve been wandering, unable even to step onto the right path.

“Um, so what exactly happened here?”

“…”

Ensia asked, as if representing the others.

To this, Kariel…

“I’ll explain.”

First, he decided to tell them about that part.

They know.

And they don’t know.

Their current selves, those bound to physical bodies, might not know yet.

But their souls have finally found him and reached this land, reached this far.

…Well, saying such things to others would only get him labeled as a madman, a fortune-teller, or someone who’s lost his mind.

But what can he do? He’s become able to see and know these things.

“First…”

But that’s his own circumstance.

Even if it’s the truth.

Even if they could be humans capable of opening both eyes.

If they are people who have lived with only one eye open.

If living with only one eye open until death has been considered the truth and reality.

…Then the very idea that they could open both eyes would be seen as a lie, a deception, essentially a malicious fraud trying to deceive them.

But there is a difference.

While con artists try to deceive others for their own benefit.

Kariel is…

“First, let’s talk about what you want.”

More like bestowing something.

“If you wish to stay, you can. If not, you can descend the mountain.”

He’s building a foundation.

It won’t take that long.

Also.

He still feels his lack of power.

When I entered the demon realm leading the monster kings…

The me they saw was the Demon King of Wisdom and the Demon King of Pain.

I might have been another Demon King who followed them.

But not anymore.

Because my fate has changed.

And now, my destiny cannot be defined by anything.

Freedom is another word for chaos.

Therefore, I am now clearly a messenger of chaos.

And.

Someday I will head to the demon realm and face them.

I’ll also have to face the demon world tree.

…There’s a mountain of things to do.

And the time given isn’t abundant.

“The choice is yours.”

At this point, Ensia asked a curious question.

“Um… but we’ve already come so deep into the Seven Mountains, if we just descend from here, will the monsters leave us alone…?”

“…”

“Um, hello? Could you answer that…”

Kariel shrugged.

“Isn’t it enough to become like me or her yesterday, someone the monsters can’t approach carelessly?”

“Don’t say that as if it’s helpful advice!”

“Did I say something wrong?”

As Kariel tilted his head.

“Hahaha!”

Elehermina couldn’t hold back her laughter.

“Ah, well… I followed for a reason, but something, something feels a bit…”

Apart from the still half-asleep man and child looking dazed.

Ensia, having grasped the situation, seemed very flustered by how rapidly things had progressed without her realizing.

“…”

But the truly perplexing thing wasn’t this, was it?

As the sun rose higher, its fierce light began to shine down on the entire plateau where they stood.

“Well, never mind that. First…”

Looking around, Kariel briefly added.

“We need to secure food.”

As for building a house, he’d think more about the location later.

Though he had mountains of food stored in his spatial storage, there was no need to reveal that now, right?

Anyway, turning these three into proper people was the priority.

Additional people who might join later would be a future concern.

Time would solve everything.

Hopefully.