Ch.322106. That Wheel Has Broken (3)

Kariel remembers.

For a moment, in this world like a sea of stars, while drifting in a light sleep.

Tamiel, Satan, Samael.

That being with many other names had personally come here and whispered words that she had kept in her heart until now.

[Seraphim. How terribly faithful you are. My faith in you. I could have been the most excellent spouse for her, and I’ve tried to steal her heart until the day she died, but somehow she wasn’t tempted.]

What a sublime and noble woman she is.

[Perhaps for her, believing in you was more important than believing in the Lord. She herself wouldn’t have known, but her spirituality and soul, the will residing within, must have desperately wanted that.]

The mud flower of Dabas, the swamp flower.

Even Istia, the Wolf Prince’s sister who had so devotedly followed and adored Kariel, was seduced by Tamiel and intoxicated by his performance as an ideal husband, spending what were supposedly the happiest days of her life with him.

Because of this, Istia’s connection with Kariel was essentially severed.

They’re always like that.

They never want to see anyone prosper.

[We are trials. We are like craftsmen who make you complete, perfect. So leave the inadequate and insufficient alone! I’ll take care of everything. You just keep moving forward. You, who are already complete, are now my companion rather than an adversary. What reason is there not to cooperate with me when you’re at a point where you exchange opinions with the Lord?]

He would frequently enter this realm for various trivial reasons.

And he would often tell stories of seducing and coaxing Kariel’s disciples and descendants.

“……”

Besides her, there were many others I needed to check on at this point.

But I considered Seraphim first.

…Only she remained beyond my reach at this moment.

If she had strayed from my intentions and will.

…I would have been very troubled.

Even then, I would have kept it deep in my heart and moved forward with my eyes closed again.

But now it’s not just one.

It’s no longer just my problem, my personal issue.

“……”

However.

That doesn’t mean I lead everyone.

I am still powerless.

…A breeze blows.

A gentle breeze from this windless world….

I open my eyes and look to the other side of the world.

Seraphim, Eliya…

Even after leaving this place, she will continue to agonize.

Even though she has pillars to support her, her mission is extremely heavy.

Even if her father’s sword is passed down to her hands someday.

Even if radiant light pours forth from it, illuminating the world.

The malice that invades will make even such light seem feeble.

And even if she eventually grasps the jet-black sword that originated from me, Elbat, in her other hand.

She will face many valleys of trials to overcome.

“……”

But.

I might be able to handle some of them.

That’s why I’ve been here from the beginning.

For me and them, time is nothing more than the sensation of moving and stirring fingers.

No matter how long we, living beings, live and endure…

Compared to the time that stars embrace and experience, it’s merely a fleeting moment.

The master of this world is like that too.

But they protect the world from infinite struggle and invasion by establishing laws that cannot change under any circumstances from an even higher position.

If it were just about competing in strength and engaging in bloody battles.

It would mean an almost infinite struggle, leading to endless annihilation.

“……”

Of course, there’s the option of running away indefinitely, but how long would that be possible?

I don’t know.

After crossing one valley, there’s something worse.

Just when you’re about to rejoice at somehow overcoming that, you see something even worse than you’ve ever seen before, which is quite disheartening.

But.

…While you may lament and rage at the absence of a path, there’s no need to regret or fear its presence.

“……”

And that’s just my perspective, being able to see and recognize such things.

I can’t expect those who will arrive here in the future to have the same understanding.

That’s why I am an imitation.

Even I think I reached this realm too quickly.

It was fierce.

I’ve fought more fiercely than anyone else.

“……”

My heart feels both light and heavy.

The path I must take is visible, and the goal I must grasp is clear.

“It’s not an easy task.”

I’ve even forgotten loneliness now.

If there’s anything I wish for now…

It’s to become a lamp and illuminate the path for them to follow.

And.

Before becoming a lamp, I hope to accomplish what needs to be done.

I…

“Have no choice but to move forward.”

Despite everything, we will have no choice but to move forward.

Eventually.

Another visitor arrives over this sea of stars.

One by one.

They may stay briefly and pass by briefly.

But each of them, embracing desperation and earnestness.

They are arriving here, at this place.

He was the first to arrive.

Suhan.

The one called the Black Dragon Elder eventually gave up, but faithfully following what I had mentioned beforehand, he finally guided that child here.

[You! Those who try to become gods! Immortals, spirit beings, divine beasts! How can you be so cruel and wicked?!]

Where do nobility and baseness originate?

Those born with divine blood, possessing divinity, with outstanding appearances and exceptional aptitudes, talents, and abilities…

Are they noble by nature?

Are they dignified by nature?

If.

If the world considers this to be a righteous truth.

If it acknowledges all this as good.

If it brazenly claims that their intentions and actions are right and just.

[I will smash such a filthy and base world to pieces.]

I will trample the heavens.

I, myself, will trample and crush the world.

“……”

There was a man staring at me with eyes distorted like a malevolent god.

The hatred in those eyes seemed as if it could burn the world.

It was truly… familiar.

Naturally familiar.

“I have broken through that hell! I have come here! Yes! You! You there! Are you the one who will give me power?”

“……”

I calmly looked at him.

He reached my presence without particularly asking for permission or making demands.

“He said I could find answers if I came here. So! I kept breaking through these cursed traps or gates or whatever! I’ve come all the way here! This should be enough to prove my qualification, right?! Huh?!”

“……”

I nodded.

Everything has its use. Its purpose.

“Take it.”

Once again, I handed over a translucent golden, multi-faceted object.

He grasped it without hesitation.

And.

A moment later, screaming and letting out a near-shriek.

He poured out an intensely fierce mental agony like a death cry.

“Aaaaargh—!”

“……”

“Kariel! You! You knew, didn’t you?! Why me! Why is it me again! This, this… Kugh!”

The black-haired man cried out.

By now, his two eyes had mixed black and red together.

They formed a bizarre half-taijitu pattern with characteristic ink-black and red colors in partial disharmony.

Even that soon scattered, softened in form, or broke apart.

“Was this the best option? Yes. Because I want to burn the world, you threw me into a world that could actually be burned without consequences?!”

“It was your choice. Didn’t I tell you before? That I would grant your wish.”

“In this way?! Even so! Even so, what difference does it make!”

“But in the empty space you leave behind, new sprouts will grow.”

“…I’ve already lost everything. What meaning could there possibly be in that.”

“…In this world, nothing is meaningless under any circumstances.”

If there truly is such a thing, it’s only the foolish self who performed meaningless acts and the foolish self who defined and led such a self.

“And making that meaning valuable and significant is entirely up to you. Just as I am here, in this place right now.”

“You…”

“Delica.”

I mentioned his old name to the man.

“Your anger and hatred are by no means meaningless.”

Without at least that much, he wouldn’t be able to instill fear, terror, despair…

In those he will face from now on.

“That oath you made kneeling before Suhan, spitting blood. Don’t forget it.”

“…You, you are cruel now as you were before.”

“Your anger will be the first arrow to newly correct the wrongly constructed rules and order of that region.”

“Kariel. Weren’t we pursuing chaos?”

“You still misunderstand that. It’s harmony.”

Harmony.

I am a child of chaos, but through it, I contribute to building order.

So that this world doesn’t tilt or get driven toward either chaos or order…

“If what you’ve seen and experienced is a mountain hell, as you say, then what can change that hell is…”

“Yes. Only someone like me, I suppose.”

He said with a hollow laugh.

“Yes. Now I understand a little why you always seemed so dejected. Was this how it felt?”

The world is so turbid and miserable, yet this world I see is still far, far more…

“Miserable than what I’ve seen before.”

“That’s why it needs to be corrected.”

That’s why.

Meaning will finally emerge.

“…I thought you were a crazy idealist, a pacifist. Even knowing how much blood will flow when I appear in the world… you’re going to let someone like me loose?”

“It’s a necessary process.”

For a very long time, countless grudges, resentments, and wails have piled up, and their aftermath has reached us.

Delica doesn’t know, but willingly taking that on is… solely her intention.

He can’t know that yet, but someday he will.

“……”

I hope you’ll be able to see the same things I do.

Delica.

No, Cheonjaha.

……

And.

As time passed and flowed.

No, I thought about postponing it a bit.

Eventually.

Those two also arrived here.

“Where is this…?”

“Oh, brother?”

I look directly at the two of them.

A snow-white girl and a boy with beauty reminiscent of pure gold.

The girl was limping, so she was leaning on the boy.

And the boy was now… trying hard to overcome his fear, firmly holding onto his heart.

“……”

I watch them.

They also discover me and, after staring for a while, finally reluctantly approach and ask.

“Who are you?”

“……”

On one hand, it’s pitiful.

Yes, it’s a pitiful thing.

I’ve known from the beginning how harsh a journey these two will walk.

And that it’s all because of themselves.

My deep-rooted resentment.

And their regret and obsession.

Even more intense grief and despair than that.

This process was ultimately a journey through hell, formed by voluntarily giving up and being deprived of the qualifications they could have stood upon.

Simply because they failed to properly nurture and discipline themselves.

“……”

Moreover, though unintentional.

The result ultimately led to receiving divine punishment.

…Just like the spirits of Lutesia and the Demon Tree.

Gods are free from human sin and causality.

Therefore, even if gods commit any sin, as long as it doesn’t exceed human standards.

…It’s not a problem at all.

This is why Cheonjaha must use force to reorganize the selfishness, dictatorship, and calamity that rule the world with the qualification of immortals and spirit beings.

And.

These two young people before my eyes…

Will have to continue an even more terrible journey of asceticism, worse than labor, in the future.

…All.

It was their own choice.

“……”

In a way, it’s puzzling.

I was inwardly at a loss as to how to accept this.

As if some will wouldn’t allow me to forgive them, even if I wanted to.

‘Is it you?’

Master?

…I don’t know.

I haven’t reached that point yet.

Therefore.

If I wish for their journey to be somewhat smoother here, to be helpful.

I should extend my hand.

Even so.

It would be like handing over a small piece of clothing rather than going naked in a freezing cold area.

Yes. Even just that would be a great comfort.

“…Come here.”

This wasn’t the result I wanted.

Even so, there will surely be another opportunity.

Even if not through me.

Or if there’s no alternative without me.

Then I’ll… consider it.

Father.

Mother.

“Where is this? And… who are you, sir?”

“…I am.”

I am… yes.

“Nothing at all.”

As it has always been.

Always.

I looked at them.

In my eyes, I could fully sense the screams and wails pouring from within them.

Through those hazy thoughts, pitiful cries of apology.

The sound of crying that couldn’t overcome sadness seemed to be faintly heard.

“However, yes. I think I can help you a little.”

And this is probably another plot to forcibly entangle the causality that, although freed from causality, would still faintly connect and bring me down.

Truly, that damn Tamiel…

“Just, well. I hope you’ll consider this as my small gesture of goodwill.”

I handed over a small booklet I had prepared.

“May your path ahead be somewhat smoother.”

So they left, feeling bewildered.

And probably they will come looking for me again, dozens of times, in different forms.

Until the moment they fully realize their identity.

That was.

The only reason they decided to endure such punishment.

In the Irenis faith, those who commit suicide cannot enter heaven.

Yes.

They too, in the end, gave up on entering heaven.

“……”

Still. Still.

Right now, there are others I need to care about more than you.

So…

====

I dream.

The child, that child screaming and crying out, was vivid before my eyes.

When I opened my eyes in bed, my whole body was soaked.

After this continued for dozens of days, even months, Ermina reached a point where she could no longer endure.

“Sister. Why are you suffering like this?”

“……”

Ermina, lying in her bedroom like a patient, gave a small smile with her lips toward the female bishop who was casting a sympathetic gaze at her.

She wanted to say not to worry.

She wanted to say that, but…

“It’s not simply accumulated fatigue, is it? For someone like you to be bedridden like this, it must be more than just that.”

“……”

“You’re experiencing mental anguish, aren’t you?”

At the female bishop’s words, Ermina tightly closed her eyes.

“I… dream. Continuously, since some time ago…”

“What kind of dream?”

Normally, she wouldn’t easily reveal such inner thoughts.

But Ermina heavily revealed her innermost feelings to the female bishop, with whom she had built a bond and relationship over a long time, no less than with her other colleagues in this institution.

“Kariel. That child… screaming in agony in hell…”

It shows a different scene each time.

One day in a pit of fire, flesh burning and muscles turning black.

Yet quickly recovering only to burn again, turning black, black again, while blood pours, streams down…

One day pushed into a field of countless iron skewers, the whole body mutilated, intestines dragged out, yet still struggling in pain and agony from the skewers stuck in those intestines, until even struggling becomes too painful, curling up and whimpering… bleeding and pouring blood from every part of the body, unable even to scream… such terrible…

That’s not all.

Though she’s had such dreams for months, not one experience was similar.

As if all the malice and pain in this world had such cases.

…Kariel, that child was miserably wailing in all such pain.

“But, that can’t be helped, can it?”

“…Pardon?”

At the female bishop’s words, Ermina wondered if she had misheard.

“He committed suicide, didn’t he? Then, that truly can’t be helped, can it?”

“…Milea? How do you… know that fact?”

“The Lord knows everything.”

“Who… told you?”

“Who do you think?”

At the tone that seemed like posing a riddle, Ermina’s spine suddenly chilled.

Her body was already soaked with cold sweat.

“Who are you?”

“Huhuhu.”

Huhuhuhu.

Hehe…he.

“Who do you think I am?”

“……”

Though strength drained from her entire body.

Ermina tried hard to put strength in her eyes and pressed on.

“What is your identity?”

“Finally. I’m inwardly moved that I can now throw an irresistible supreme proposal to you and your husband.”

From Milea’s mouth, a male voice, one that was extremely ominous, leaked out.

“Who are you?!”

“It shouldn’t be difficult to figure out who would do such a thing.”

“……”

Strangely.

Ermina quickly guessed the identity.

As if at this moment, all other answers and solutions were excluded and disappeared.

“…Satan?”

“It could be. Hmm.”

She, or rather he, seemed very pleased.

“Aren’t you curious why you’ve been having such dreams?”

“…It was your doing.”

“No. It wasn’t me. But there was someone who asked for it, so I used my power a bit.”

He was moving his mouth slickly, glibly.

With Milea’s face.

With her solemn yet merciful, yet familiar appearance.

That thing displays malice like no other.

“Still, isn’t it good? You’ve learned what you were curious about. Though it’s taboo… you still wanted to know, didn’t you?”

“……”

“Your son, who was two but now is only one, has grown well and is going his own way, so regret must linger. Regret. The only regret. Indelible… regret.”

It’s not just regret.

To the extent of picking on such a thing…

“Don’t you want to save that child?”

At those words, her eyes flew open.

“…What do you want?”

“Take your own life.”

“……!!”

“Then at least, I’ll send you to that child’s side.”

To a being already destined for the afterlife in heaven, this is a suggestion close to extreme evil.

The terrible thing is that it’s neither a proposal nor a threat.

That being, Satan, knows.

That only by voluntarily giving up one’s life can one acquire the qualification to be thrown into a bottomless hell.

“……”

“You seem to have no hesitation, but still have concerns. So, I’ll bestow one mercy.”

Mercy? You?

As he waved his hand with a smiling face.

……

“Ah.”

Forgotten memories suddenly came to mind.

The Demon King of Wisdom.

The binding constraint that her illusion had imposed on Ermina.

It was just now released.

“Ah, ah…”

One by one, everything comes back.

Coming back and coming back…

Everything comes back so much that…

“I’ll give you time to choose. Call me anytime. I’ll come right away.”

“Ah, aah… no. This, this…”

Hehehe, hehehehe!

“Lord. Let’s watch with joyful hearts whether these ones can overcome their trials.”

Well…

“Though it won’t be easy.”

The fact that he stepped forward means one of two things.

The minimum treatment or courtesy toward a being that, like Kariel, can never be persuaded or subjugated.

But the opposite is.

Absolute confidence that one can succeed in persuasion under any circumstances.

That’s how he dragged countless beings down to become the most noble beings in hell.

Because in hell, beings who were once and still are deities exist properly.

‘This is truly enjoyable.’

As soon as he disappeared from there.

“Aaaah—!”

Ermina let out a scream.

Everything started coming back to memory.

Everything, all of it, without exception, everything!

“Ma, madam?!”

Ah, aah—.

With reactions close to insanity and added seizure symptoms, Ermina struggled on the bed.

‘This can’t be, this can’t be!’

When she heard from Rueld that the child had committed suicide, she couldn’t properly sleep for months.

Because surely, surely he would have fallen into hell.

‘I, I—.’

So even while paying attention to Elemion, that child, she was desperate to contribute to the world.

She prayed that her good deeds would alleviate that child’s suffering, even a little.

She prayed for that child every day without fail, but—.

Was it too much? Was it meaningless?

Why, why to this extent…!

====

“You’re a frightening person.”

Eras, in her nest located on the outskirts of the institution, burst into laughter at the words of the hooded man.

“If the hero and saint disappear, all that remains is Elemion, the descendant of radiance, that child.”

“If the backing disappears, the hidden intentions of His Majesty the Emperor will also be frustrated at once.”

“Huhuhu.”

The man made a deep laughing sound.

Why it seemed close to mockery might be due to excessive sensitivity.

“What are you laughing at?”

“Does the child you’re carrying seem healthy?”

“You, how do you know that?”

“I know many things. Many indeed.”

“…Keep your mouth shut.”

“Would there be any doubt about that?”

But she wouldn’t know.

Tamiel knows, though.

‘Young goat floundering in vain hope. Even though I can guess what kind of performance your struggle will create, I’m still looking forward to it.’

She doesn’t qualify to conceive life herself.

It’s not particularly a physical problem, it’s just such a fate.

Because those who want to be born wouldn’t wish to be born through her even if they died and woke up again.

That will is so strong, which is why they die in the process.

Well, it can’t be helped.

Who would want to endure the extreme punishment of being born through her womb?

‘It’s a joyful thing.’

The more the world is immersed in chaos and grief, the more valuable the nobility that grows within it.

If even one more being like Kariel is born…

‘But that was possible only under the rule of chaos, with the guidance of gold and abyss.’

Can such a miracle happen again?

‘Perhaps it’s better to expect from his disciples.’

Don’t worry, Kariel.

I will put your disciples to the test.

Until you save and redeem yourselves from evil by testing you.

You will only ascend to the judgment seat to be tested eternally.

But don’t worry.

The teachings he gave will be a glimmer of hope for you.

…I hope you find that faint lamp, that ember well.

“Then I’ll take my leave as I have business. I’ll deliver the report after all the results are in.”

“…Take care.”

As soon as he left Eras’s personal room and research building, he transformed his body into a pitch-black form.

‘I’m looking forward to it, Rueld.’

The day when your wife falls into my hands will soon be the day I throw an irresistible proposal to you as well.

Very interesting.

Just as resources in the world are limited, positions are also limited.

Since our Lord has allocated some areas for Kariel.

Since He can no longer give that gap to you.

Perhaps this is inevitable.

‘Don’t be disappointed.’

From the beginning, the world has been ruthless.

It has always been so.

Even his fall and corruption, becoming the most vile and base being from the most noble and dignified body.

It was all a predetermined ending.

‘When you know the essence, you can’t even think of escaping or getting away.’

In a sense, Kariel and he are close to being of the same kind.

Because they have the same root.

‘We will see each other often, brother.’

From ancient times, as you climb and climb the world, you reach one peak, one mountain top.

Everything is connected to one root.

In the end, everything is the same.

Therefore.

Today and tomorrow, we…