Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Entrance to the Demonic Realm (2)
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There were no guards. Like an unmanned factory, it just mechanically absorbed and expelled something in an endless cycle.
“This isn't the work of humans. How could any human do this…”
“Don't think for a second we're dealing with humans.”
Right, they weren't human. Hadn't I seen it enough? The way those bastards committed acts less than human.
They weren't human. They were demons. Demons who didn't see humans as human.
“We have to save them. All of them. We have to save them all.”
With trembling hands, Niceta unleashed her divine power to heal a man from whom a tentacle had been pulled.
In this place saturated with demonic energy, a sacred white light shone brighter than ever, flying toward the man who was nothing but skin and bones.
But the divine power wasn't absorbed; instead, it began to rampage as if agitated.
The man reacted similarly. His emaciated body twisted and contorted in agony before he finally expired.
It meant he was a being so tainted by demonic energy that divine power no longer worked. It only aggravated his suffering, offering no relief.
“Ah…”
Niceta fell to her knees in despair, her hands shaking uncontrollably. How could her divine power not save someone in such agony?
“Too… they've suffered for too long. They don't even have the minimum strength left.”
On the other side, a tentacle withdrew as if someone had died, casting the corpse to the floor like trash. That spot would likely be filled by someone new.
“Aaaaargh—!”
Niceta cried out. The teachings of the Holy Kingdom had all been ideals. Divine power couldn't perfectly protect the world from all suffering and evil.
“We have to find a way.”
“How?”
“Somehow!”
I understood Niceta's desperation, but I couldn't bring myself to say it was impossible.
Those giant tentacles were not only taking something from the people but also serving as life support. Even if we saved them, they couldn't be brought back.
“Open your eyes and see.”
I bit my lip until it bled, speaking in a low tone. I had to remain calm. I couldn't afford to get worked up, too.
“What do you mean!”
“A way to give them peace! What they truly want!”
At my shout, Niceta wiped her tears and gazed at the vast farm.
“No one can save everyone in the world. Not even the Pope. No, perhaps not even a god can save this world itself! Why do you think Pope Provino sent you here? Just to investigate the collusion between the Empire and the Raelians, and this demonic energy?”
Provino, who had said Niceta still lacked an understanding of the world, would have said the exact same thing right now.
The world you're about to face is anything but kind. You will confront a great evil. If you can't save everyone, isn't it the duty of a priest of the Holy Kingdom to save even one person before you?
“This world isn't kind; it's filled with malice. And when even darker times come, Niceta, the role of a priest like you will become crucial. Are you going to keep crying and whining every time you see a sight like this?”
All sorts of emotions flickered in Niceta's eyes. Though filled with rage, it meant she had at least begun to grasp the meaning of my words.
I didn't know what kind of resolve it was. I didn't need to. As long as it wasn't misguided or wrong, that was all that mattered.
“There can be no paradise at the end of an escape.”
Just like the famous line from *Berserk*, you can't reach paradise by running away. You'll only fall deeper into the abyss.
Everyone in this world had their own battlefield, and they needed the will to fight and move forward.
“Or will you stand and fight? If you choose to fight, I will gladly help you.”
“What must I do now? And what must I do in the future?”
Niceta wiped her tears on her sleeve and caught her breath.
“That's something you must find for yourself. It's a question no one can answer for you. What do you feel from those tentacles?”
“Demonic energy. Pure demonic energy. Unmixed with the energy of any of the Seven Deadly Sins.”
The demonic energy extracted here was likely not just stored in the antenna but used in countless other places.
The fact that they built and operated a farm like this instead of using demonic energy directly from the Demonic Realm must mean this way was better for some reason.
These people were fated to die anyway. In that case, there was only one thing she could do now: allow them to die as whole human beings, not as creatures of demonic energy.
And so, Niceta fired her divine power at the massive bundle of tentacles.
“Reinhardt, Seamus. Gather the people in one place as much as possible. Leave the fighting to Niceta.”
As if feeling pain from the divine power, the tentacles writhed, pulling out from the people and lashing out at Niceta.
Screams erupted from all around, and I could hear the ragged breaths of the people. I clenched my teeth.
This fight had to be left entirely to Niceta. In that case, I had to do what only I could.
I planned to conduct a massive purification rite, something I had never done before. To ensure these hundreds of people would not suffer from the demonic energy.
That was something I, and only I, could do.
I sat cross-legged in the middle of the people. I spread my Spiritual Power from within my body. I had to purify these hundreds of people.
The Spiritual Power spread wide before faltering and writhing, as if strained. As if throwing a tantrum.
It was understandable, since this required a completely different density and movement than when I simply extended it for detection.
“Hey, stop whining. This is no time for tantrums. *Cough*—”
My Spiritual Power reacted violently, as if the core of my body was being ripped out. A pain like my soul being torn away washed over me, and blood surged into my mouth, but I swallowed it down and expanded my power.
I drew the demonic energy from the bodies of those at the very edge. My untamed Spiritual Power greedily absorbed and purified it.
“Hah—”
I clearly heard the last breath of a person whose demonic energy had been purified. I hoped it was a breath of peace.
May you go to a better place.
***
A bundle of tentacles that had been plunged into hundreds of humans. Hundreds of them flew from all directions as if they had a will of their own.
“O, light—”
With a brilliant flash, a mass of tentacles was sliced apart. The tentacles severed by the holy sword couldn't regenerate; they shriveled and writhed as if in agony.
“Does it feel pain?”
I didn't know. It had no mouth, so I could only guess from its writhing. It was laughable. That it could feel pain. I had thought such a massive monster was without emotion, literally evil incarnate.
To see even a being like that squirm in pain. Did it think it would never have to feel pain itself?
After plunging hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people into suffering?
What was my duty as a priest? What was my mission? I had never seriously considered it until now.
I had simply thought a priest's role was to vanquish evil and save people, just as the doctrine taught. Some as paladins, some as inquisitors, and some in other positions.
So, what was I to do? What was my mission? The reason I became a priest was simple.
A dark mage appeared in my village and proceeded to kidnap, torture, and experiment on all the villagers.
In the process, the village became, quite literally, a giant laboratory for that dark mage. The once-peaceful little village was no more.
Every night was filled with screams, wails, and agony from unknown sources.
My parents, my younger sibling, my friend next door, their parents… not a single person I knew survived.
Then, as I, who had hidden until the very end, was being dragged to the dark mage's laboratory, a paladin from the Holy Kingdom found and rescued me. Afterwards, I showed a considerable affinity for divine power and became a priest.
From that moment on, my goal was singular. The desire to take revenge on those aligned with demonic energy, those who had done this to me, my family, my friends, and my village.
That one, deep-seated thirst for revenge. A vow that I could never exist in the same space—no, under the same sky—as those who wielded demonic energy.
Throughout it all, despite countless sermons and lessons, my desire for vengeance never changed.
As I burned away the endlessly swarming tentacles, I glanced over and saw the man sitting on the floor, his eyes closed, emitting something similar to divine power.
As that energy settled over them, the people who had been poisoned by demonic energy and tormented by the tentacles were purified, passing away with peaceful expressions.
Isn't that true salvation? Performing God's teachings isn't something only a priest of the Holy Kingdom can do. It can be done anywhere, by anyone.
Yes, just like him. How noble he looked. In the heart of demonic energy, in the midst of battle, risking danger for the salvation of others.
It was a complicated path, but now I think I understand.
“I understand now.”
Saving those who suffer is important, but to save them, one must first annihilate evil. That by killing evil, I can save even more people.
Not for personal revenge, but to prevent a second or third version of myself from ever being created.
And that this path does not exist solely within the Holy Kingdom.
The hundreds of tentacles were almost all gone now. I thrust my sword toward the base of the giant torso. As the blade sank in, I twisted and turned it to create a larger wound.
Niceta's sword shone far brighter and more brilliant than before, and the density of her divine power was incomparable to what it once was.
The demonic energy absorbed from the people gushed out, but it was purified by the aura Kratos emitted.
*Ruuuumble—*
The massive body collapsed, creating a deafening roar and kicking up a cloud of dust.
Yes. If someone were to ask now, I think I could answer with certainty. What I must do from now on.
My gaze was not on the fallen monster, but on the man who was steadying his breath and opening his eyes.
***
“*Phew*—”
[Spiritual Power has increased by 39. An additional stroke is carved into the ring of Spiritual Power.]
[Spiritual Power Arts has increased by 1.]
I felt a wave of fatigue wash over me, having expended quite a bit of energy purifying even the demonic energy that suddenly poured down from above.
The stat increase felt good, but it left a bad taste in my mouth.
Because I had witnessed so many deaths at once. And because my Spiritual Power stat had risen due to their sacrifice.
I will never forget this sight. Never.
“Niceta, the purification.”
“Understood.”
As I staggered away from my spot, Niceta bowed her head respectfully before pouring out her divine power.
“*Gasp—!*”
And from the middle of that pile of corpses, someone announced their survival with a gasp, as if letting out a breath they had been holding.
“A survivor! Find the survivor!”
Amid the pile of hundreds of corpses. When they found the small child reaching out a hand, trying to live. Niceta finally let the tears she had been holding back stream down her face.
Because she was so relieved to have been able to save even just one.
Despite its tiny frame and visible bones, its life force was truly miraculous.
“Have the others go first. I'll look after the child.”
I once again focused my Spiritual Power on the child. Just in case any trace of demonic energy remained.
Niceta conjured a sacred flame and cremated the bodies. To ensure no one could ever desecrate them again. And so they could find peace by God's side.
“We're returning to Rzhev for now.”
Normally, we would have pressed forward, but now we had to go back. We couldn't let this small flame of life we had just saved be extinguished.
And someday. As soon as my abilities allowed. I planned to clean out this goddamn Demonic Realm. To make sure nothing like this could ever happen again.