episode_0027

Recently, many strange phenomena have been reported in the desert.

These phenomena are said to be inexplicable.

Chanel also couldn’t grasp any clues through prophecies.

Undead beings have been resurrecting in the desert recently, ancient treasures emerging from underground, and sandstorms raging fiercely.

Although one could avoid harm with relics, these were undoubtedly unusual signs.

“It seems our goal is to understand what is causing these strange phenomena and resolve it if possible.”

Without Beatrice, Teresia seemed quite curious about these phenomena.

I brought various strange items, but I don’t know their true nature.

“Probably not related to dragons, as there are no dragons here ready to intervene.”

Dragons, not intending to interfere in the world yet, explained that they wouldn’t create such phenomena.

Then who could it be?

Certainly enough to call it a strange phenomenon.

Could it be the rare apostles of the gods, angels, and demons intervening?

No, probably not even that.

They have neither the time nor reason to turn their attention this way.

“I’d like to go to where these phenomena occurred first.”

“Let’s head in that direction.”

Abel had somehow managed to steal a camel.

I never thought I would one day ride a camel myself.

Sitting atop the camel for transportation felt both new and fascinating.

“Is this the place?”

The sand was swirling violently like a storm.

Beyond the sand, a massive palace loomed, surrounded by undead beings and eerie sensations emanating from the ground.

Hmm… A demon? Yes, closer to a demon, if you must categorize.

Using such power, besides me, only demons exist in this world.

“…Since your father has descended, it seems even demons are showing interest in this direction.”

“Yes, it feels like something unpleasant might happen.”

Demons are beings accustomed to fighting angels daily.

As beings whose home is hell, where the desires of the deceased are fulfilled, they help relieve primal emotions accumulated within themselves.

Thus, if our children die, I will send them to the afterlife, not to hell.

Hell is a place where I can see what is happening because I manage it.

…Well, technically, I don’t manage it, but ultimately, I hold the decision-making power.

“All of you possess souls that demons would find appealing, so do not speak in front of them. Demons deceive humans with words, make promises they won’t keep, and do not protect them.”

Deceivers who pretend to fulfill wishes but actually don’t, masking it as protection.

Crafty and wicked tricksters who beguile people.

Therefore, it was best not to speak freely in front of them.

“Let’s go.”

I waved my hand.

Suddenly, the fiercely blowing sandstorms vanished, and countless undead beings, those soldiers, melted away into sand and dispersed.

Now, such miracles could be easily and casually realized.

I had become incredibly strong since the day of possession, to an extent where it was hard to gauge.

“He might be in that castle.”

“Hmm… Teacher, that building resembles the ancient kingdom of Fernium. It seems…”

“The fact that undead beings have risen suggests that the king of that era could also be among the undead.”

“Rather than summoning such a distant past and dealing with a demon who controls death… Yes, it seems he is involved.”

He was a considerably powerful demon.

Even among demons, those who can be called the leaders are just demons below the level of representative humans’ sins.

If we were to compare them to angels, they would be right below archangels, no less.

“It’s fine. After all, that child is also a demon beneath me, so there’s no need to worry.”

“…Worry? No. I feel like I will only experience ecstasy right now. Since demons are extremely rare treasures in alchemy, there must be something we can obtain.”

Oh, I see.

Alright.

It seems they are not excited about concerns for their lives but rather about obtaining materials.

Hmm, I see…

“If it’s a demon… it would be good to steal vitality. After accumulating it for such a long time, my mother would be pleased if I offered it to her.”

Mari said with a sly smile.

A demon, and a high-ranking one at that, yet no one seemed afraid and appeared nonchalant.

…Well, they have already captured the Demon King several times.

“Then let’s go in.”

As we entered the castle, it was filled with undead, but perhaps the power of the gods was not as straightforward as it seemed.

Moreover, when it came to evil spirits, instead of attacking me the moment the undead sensed me, they all prostrated themselves, submitting.

“Children, where is your king?”

The undead turned their heads towards a deeper part inside.

I slowly made my way towards that place.

Eventually, a huge door appeared.

…Casually opening the door, torches lit up in the blackened space, revealing an undead sitting on the throne.

“…Is this your majesty… a god?”

The lich was surprised, leaping from the throne and falling down.

What’s going on?

“Well, it’s an honor. Only after experiencing resurrection after death do I finally get to see a god. You may not remember me. I am Fernicia, the king of the Fernium Kingdom. Oh, god. You have finally answered my call.”

…Did Fernium originally believe in evil spirits?

This is the first time I’m hearing about it.

No, maybe I just wasn’t interested in Fernium in the first place.

“Yes, my child. It’s been a while.”

“Father, were you acquainted with this skeleton?”

That’s true.

No matter how much of a lich he is, being a king of a country, he doesn’t seem to fit well with a skeleton.

“Even with the saints and the holy maiden… he… Marie? Still…”

As soon as her name was mentioned, Marie shot an arrow into the lich’s head.

In that brief moment, plants sprouted around her, she pulled out a bow from the plant, and shot an arrow into his head.

Hmm.

Indeed, Marie isn’t just a regular high elf, is she?

“Oh, I accidentally got startled and killed him.”

Although I witnessed these actions, I quietly kept my mouth shut.

Hmm, alright.

It’s been a while since we met, but now I can be surprised, shoot an arrow into someone’s head, and kill them.

It was a short meeting, but it was a regrettable death. Oh well.

“Oh, what a shame. It was a rare and valuable sample to save, but unfortunately, it’s gone.”

As we watched the king meet his pathetic end, someone approached us from behind.

He walked with a firm step, wearing dark glasses, with well-groomed hair, and a handsome man in a suit.

His black hair and red eyes were striking enough to remind me of someone, but his blood-red eyes gave off a chilling feeling to those who saw him.

“Gaming, my child. It’s been a while.”

“A while indeed. Except for when I was born, it seems like the first time I’ve seen you.”

The man said, tearing his lips apart.

Seeing his lips torn all the way to his ears was certainly a disturbing sight.

“So many children cherished by the gods gathered in one place.”

“…Test subjects! Good test subjects have crawled all the way here.”

I’m sorry.

Our children are not normal.

“As the life directly created by the father… that life will be gloriously used for the sake of the demon religion under the hands of Teresia. It is to express gratitude for the noble sacrifice for the father.”

“…The taste of the devil, I’ve always been curious about it. Now I can confirm it.”

“Ugh…. Shall I loosen up my body after a long time?”

When Teresia used magic, space was cut off and turned into a complete different space.

The first to move in the space separated from reality was Caesar.

With a dagger in hand, he rushed at a fast speed, but Gamma easily dodged his attacks as if proving that he was indeed a superior demon.

Right after that, Adel threw a punch.

As the Dragon Lord, the most prominent dragon among the protectors of this human realm, each of his punches distorted dimensions.

Then, what about the warrior who said he was similar to him? What kind of being is he exactly?

And how strong is Veronica, who single-handedly defeated the Demon King?

“Wait a moment! God, evil!”

The figure that appeared coolly earlier seemed to have disappeared somewhere, and a sad scene where one had to avoid attacks to survive was staged.

“Children, that’s enough now…”

“Teacher, can’t you endure this time for the advancement of the demon religion? If only that demon is there… I can create what I’ve desired so much.”

…What Teresia has longed for.

To go beyond what is allowed as a human and achieve miracles with her own hands.

If she asks me to endure just this once to reach what she aims for… I will endure.

That’s why Teresia has been dedicated to alchemy for such a long time and why she entered the demon religion.

“…Fine, I’ll let it go this time.”

“God, are you?”

Ignoring Gamma’s sorrowful voice, I closed my eyes tightly.

…Let’s meet in the next life, child.

With unfortunate events, the castle collapsed.

Of course, we quickly tore through space and moved outside the castle.

“…It’s already night.”

Was the timeline distorted?

Although the time spent inside wasn’t that long, night had suddenly arrived.

“Let’s rest now, children.”

I said with a smile.

…With Gamma’s body and us, we headed towards prosperity.