Chapter 255
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 255
“Roen, are you truly serious?”
I had returned to my office after the meeting with the Twelve Venerables. As expected, Ciel was there, questioning me. She was asking for my true thoughts on the decision to resume the Human-Demon War.
Meeting Ciel’s gaze, which was brimming with fear and sorrow, I answered with a heavy sigh.
“There was no other choice.”
If there had been a better way, I would have taken it. But the destiny I had been handed would not allow for alternatives.
The days when I could solve everything with my in-game knowledge are long gone.
My current situation had deviated far from the game's original storyline. I could no longer rely on the information I once possessed. From now on, I had to navigate the world using only the information and power currently at my disposal. I was no longer a ‘player’ who knew every secret of this world's future and its hidden pieces.
Despite wielding the power of the Demon King, at my core, I was still just an ordinary human—a former shut-in gamer. I possessed no profound wisdom, no divine insight to navigate this dark future. I could only feel my way forward through this great current, choosing the path that seemed best and advancing step by step.
I didn’t even know if it was truly the right path or a catastrophic misjudgment. But one thing was certain.
If I don't act, this world will surely perish.
I clenched my fists tightly.
Even now, the countdown to ruin was drawing closer by the second. I could feel it day by day—the immense energy I had inherited was gradually fading, being consumed to pry open the dimensional gate.
There was no more time to hesitate. If I could not know for certain what was best, then once a course was set, I could only walk it without doubt. It was the only option I had, and the one I would regret the least.
Ciel spoke. “But Roen, war will ultimately bring nothing but ruin. To this world, and to you. I don't want to see you suffer such pain anymore.”
Ciel grabbed my hand. I could feel her trembling. But I forced myself to push her emotions aside and answered calmly.
“I know that much. But if not this, what else can I do?”
I am no superman, no hero. Nor am I the flawless champion of some noble tale who, even when broken and fallen, ultimately overcomes any adversity to rise again.
I am just a human being burdened with a cruel fate—a fate that requires me, as the Demon King, to save this world. Stopping the coming destruction is a role that only Roen, the Demon King, can fulfill.
“This… is necessary.”
I sighed and closed my eyes.
Running away wouldn’t solve anything. Maintaining this false peace would change nothing. Even if I gave in to the impulse to kill all the demons and join those waiting for me, it would solve nothing. The wheels of destruction had already begun to turn, and only Roen, the Demon King, held the key to stop them.
In the end, it was something Roen had to do. Therefore, I had no choice but to do it. This was what Roen had been preparing for all this time, and it was my duty, having gained a new life in his body.
Still holding my hand, Ciel met my eyes and spoke, as if testing my resolve.
“If war breaks out again, countless lives will be lost.”
“I know.”
That death and sacrifice was the true purpose of this war.
“And the arrows of blame will be aimed solely at you.”
“I’m used to it.”
Being pointed at and cursed was not so different from what I’d experienced until now. I was used to it.
Finally, Ciel spoke in a trembling voice. “Most of all, your heart will ache as if it’s being torn apart.”
“That… will be fine, because I have you.”
I answered, squeezing Ciel’s small hand tightly. I didn’t know if I could bear it alone, but if I had even one person on my side, I could endure. We would walk this cruel path of destiny together.
After a moment of thought, Ciel nodded.
“I understand. Whatever you do, Roen, I will follow you.”
Perhaps sensing my firm resolve, Ciel no longer objected. She simply offered her silent support.
“Thank you.”
I was truly grateful for her sentiment. With this, she had become the sole supporter of my difficult and painful choice.
Letting go of my hand, Ciel served me tea as she always did and asked about my plans.
“Do you have a specific plan?”
“Yes. I’ve been preparing for a long time.”
The Human-Demon War—a conflict destined to sacrifice hundreds of thousands of human lives. If there was a way to even slightly lessen the heavy guilt I felt for restarting this war…
I snapped my fingers.
Knock, knock—.
Following the knock, a girl entered the office. It was the High Priest Yutena, dressed in black clerical robes. She stepped inside and bowed politely to me.
The being who had been suspended in culture fluid until just a while ago was now alive and moving without issue. She possessed her former soul, her karma, and her memories—and a body even stronger than before. Her existence would be a small gift, at the very least, for those who would meet a futile death, swept up in the war.
Seeing Yutena alive and well, Ciel’s eyes widened.
“Don’t tell me… you succeeded with the ritual?”
“Yes. The Resurrection of the Dead. It is the ultimate alchemy.” I let out a deep sigh and continued. “Sacrifice is unavoidable. If that’s the case, then I just have to compensate them for their deaths.”
The countless people who would be sacrificed in the resumed Human-Demon War—the only thing I could do for them was to give them new life. Though it was an act that strayed from the path of humanity, I had no other choice. This was the only way I could think of.
Someone might curse my choice. ‘Is it okay to just kill them and bring them back?’
In truth, this went against Ciel’s advice not to lose my humanity, but it couldn’t be helped. I couldn’t come up with any better method.
The people of this world are not mere NPCs, nor are they beings made of data.
What I’ve come to feel after living in this world for years is that they are, without a doubt, living human beings. Each has their own life and history, living to the best of their ability. Even if it’s to prevent the world’s destruction, I have no intention of taking their sacrifices for granted. I didn't want to dismiss it as an unavoidable sacrifice or the flow of fate and look away.
That, truly, would be an inhumane thought.
Just then, Ciel asked me in a doubtful voice.
“I understand that performing such a forbidden art requires an immense amount of mana and power. Is it really possible to reduce the casualties of war with this magic?”
“…”
Ciel’s doubt was reasonable. Just reviving Yutena alone had consumed a tremendous amount of mana. And that wasn’t all. It took a long time to cultivate the homunculus, synchronize the body and soul, build a massive altar suitable for the ritual, and finally revive her after a complex ceremony.
If it took this much effort to save one person, reviving the countless casualties of war would be practically impossible. Not only was it impossible to prepare a new body for each of them, but their souls and karma could not be easily stored. Furthermore, I lacked a grand altar or the mana needed for such a mass revival ritual.
But.
“…Perhaps.”
If there was something to hope for, even from this world’s unreasonable system that I’d felt was so cold and indifferent… this plan might just succeed.
I caressed the Orb of Life on the table, my gaze hardening.
Of course, I can’t be certain it’s possible.
There was nothing I could be certain of anymore. I was already walking a path no one had ever trod. So I could only bet on the gamble with the highest probability of success.
To find the one and only way for everyone to have a happy ending.
*
[…That is all. I wish you well.]
With a crackle of static, Roen’s voice, coming from the other side of the fountain pen, cut off.
With Roen’s announcement of the Human-Demon War’s resumption, the Mana Path was completely severed. The magical device that had served as the link between the Demon Realm and the Middle Realm was now completely broken.
The Chairman—no, the Grand Mage Ain Soph—mused with a faint smile.
So, we’ve finally entered the last stage.
He leaned his plump body back in his chair and gazed out the window. The Chairman, too, knew of the great cause the demons yearned for. He knew what it truly meant, and what destruction would result from it.
Only chaos exists at the boundary between dimensions.
If the dimensional gate were to open, the power of chaos would pour into this Middle Realm. That power would become a raging wave, sweeping away everything in this world. After that disaster struck, not a single blade of grass would remain. Literal chaos and ruin would arrive.
But the Chairman knew. This was all part of the cycle of fate that Roen had been preparing for. The final period at the end of a sentence written by a hundred Roens over an immense amount of time.
He had already made his decision. His master, the Great Sage, had foreseen the endlessly repeating history and all possible futures, and had prepared what was necessary.
In Roen’s hands were gathered both the Fruit of Life and the Fruit of Wisdom. Having obtained both, he surely had the potential to save this world. If he could unleash the true power of those two fruits, he would be able to wield authority close to that of a god, if only for a moment.
In that case, what I must do is…
His thoughts concluded, the Chairman operated the magical device to summon the others.
Crackle—.
Holograms flickered into existence, one after another, as blurry shapes. The Chairman opened his lips to address them.
“I have something to tell you all.”
*
A few months later.
The plains of the Demon Realm.
I silently looked down at the Twelve Venerables who were prostrated at my feet. Among them were those I had personally chosen, those who supported me, those who had shown me hostility, and even the proud dragon who had professed neutrality.
Before the war, I had them swear an oath to me once more.
Ciel and Yutena stood on either side of me. They were my trusted retainers, who would act as my hands and feet to command the war.
Yutena bowed her head and said, “My king, the preparations are complete.”
Behind the Twelve Venerables prostrated at my feet, the elders, chieftains, and commanders of each race were also bowed low. Like spreading roots, their ranks stretched far into the distance.
I looked down at them for a moment before raising my head.
The land was heavy with darkness. The demonic host covering the horizon surged like a wave. The fury and excitement of those who had been oppressed by the gods for so long was palpable in the air. These were beings who had cast off their own shackles to become servants of chaos.
They were fully prepared to trample their enemies.
I have no regrets. This is the only path given to me.
I raised my arm to the dark sky and commanded.
“March.”