227
I Killed the Demon King. It Was a Mistake.
Chapter 227
Agatha slowly climbed onto the bed and sat next to Caesar.
Caesar was honestly a bit dumbfounded.
How should he describe this feeling?
Should he say it feels like being in a traffic accident?
It feels like he was hit by Agatha's 8-ton truck of a confession without being able to put up any rational resistance.
To be honest, nothing Agatha said was wrong.
Caesar is a doppelganger and ultimately a demon race.
Even when he's with Raven, there's still a slight distance because Raven is human and Caesar's essential nature as a doppelganger doesn't change.
With Gloria, Caesar deliberately kept his distance because she doesn't know his true identity.
But Agatha was a precious existence who loved him despite knowing everything about him.
Caesar concluded that he couldn't help but be drawn to her because she was someone who could embrace him even knowing all his flaws.
"So how do the devils destroy this world?"
Caesar held Agatha's soft hand and fell into thought.
Honestly, he wanted to explain everything about how he was actually Seo-han and this world was inside a game.
But even if he tried to explain, there was no way to explain the concept of a 'game' to Agatha, and recently Caesar himself began to doubt whether this world was truly based on the game 'Valent Saga'.
Of course, it's certain that the background is identical to the 'Valent Saga' that Caesar knows.
But hidden truths that weren't revealed in the game have come to light, and there were so many secrets that Caesar still didn't know, so he couldn't definitively say this world was identical to the 'game' he knew.
So Caesar decided to only tell the truth as 'Caesar', not as Seo-han.
"Do you know about the Akashic Records?"
"I've heard of it. Isn't it a book containing all the information in this world? The location is unknown though... Wait, do you perhaps know where the Akashic Records are?"
"I do. I've actually seen it myself."
"Did it say that devils would destroy the world?"
"Yes. To be precise, I heard it from 'Arch Duke' who manages the Akashic Records."
Agatha nodded as if she finally found a clue.
"So that's why you're close with Arch Duke?"
"Right. Arch Duke and I are preparing for the devils' invasion. You could say we're in a kind of partnership."
"But can you trust Arch Duke's words? He might be lying to use you."
"No. That's for certain."
"How can you be so sure?"
"This is really complicated and difficult to explain..."
"We have time. Explain it slowly."
Seeing Agatha's smile made Caesar feel very comfortable.
Perhaps because it was the smile of someone who would take his side even if the world split in two?
"Alright. Are you ready to hear about how the Akashic Records work and their limitations?"
"I'm smart. I am a magician after all."
Caesar began to slowly unfold the story.
***
After organizing Caesar's words in her head, Agatha spoke.
"So the Akashic Records don't contain records of the entire world, but only information from the library that Arch Duke manages?"
"That's right."
"And currently, all future records have been erased because of something called a singularity, and it's recording in real-time?"
"Exactly."
"But the Arch Duke remember that in the records before the singularity was born, there was content about the library falling to devils and the world being destroyed, so they know devils are eyeing this world?"
Agatha pointed at Caesar and said.
"And that singularity is you?"
"Yes. The singularity occurred as soon as the demon realm war broke out, and I was born right after the demon realm war. And because I don't follow the future written in the Akashic Records, I even came back to the past."
"Wait, you said the Akashic Records are being written in real-time. How do you know the future?"
"Well, if the current Arch Duke or I go back to the past and give information about the present to my past self, then my past self can act contrary to what's written in the Akashic Records. This causes the Akashic Records to malfunction and return to the point where the error occurred."
"So if you can precisely control when the Akashic Records malfunction, you can go back to any point in the past as much as you want?"
"That's right. But since I need to return to a point when I was in the Arch library, I can't go back 100 or 200 years. At most, I could probably go back about a year."
Of course, that would mean all his work in the demon realm would have been for nothing.
Honestly, Caesar doesn't think he could do this well again even if he went back to the past.
Though if the world is destroyed by devils... He's not sure.
Could he go back like the protagonists in fantasy novels?
"But you don't know why you're the singularity or why you were born?"
"That's right."
Agatha played with Caesar's hand as she spoke.
"Honestly, if you hadn't told me yourself, I wouldn't have believed a single word of it from start to finish."
"To be honest, it sounds pretty unbelievable."
"So after we take down all those devils, will you return to the demon realm?"
"Devils are like cockroaches. Even if you kill them, complete extermination is impossible."
"So you'll live in the continent forever?"
"No, there's one radical devil group. You know those devils called Niflheim who've been causing trouble in the demon realm recently?"
"Those Prophet guys?"
"Right. They're all part of Niflheim. Once we dismantle that organization, I'll return. They're the main culprits behind the demon overflow."
Agatha leaned on Caesar's shoulder with a slight smile.
"Well, at that rate, you'll be back sooner than expected?"
"You all need to stay alert too."
"Why?"
"Because the Niflheim guys are targeting the demon realm."
"Why would those guys want the demon realm?"
"They want to make the demon realm Niflheim's territory. They're trying to turn it into a land of devils."
Agatha looked at Caesar in shock.
"Is that why the Prophets are acting up in the demon realm?"
"Yes. That's exactly why they're turning orcs and humans into devils. They plan to drive you out and take this land."
"What's so special about the demon realm? Why do humans and devils all want to come here?"
"It's rich in magic. One of the conditions for devil creation is abundant magic. The demon realm has more magic than any other region on the continent, so they're targeting it."
"Then we definitely need to take down those Prophet guys. Where are they now?"
"I don't know where they are, but I know what they're after."
"What are they after?"
Caesar looked at his calloused hand and said:
"Me."
"Well, if I were a devil, I'd target you too."
Caesar had provoked the Niflheim devils far too much.
After killing both Geotech and Raum, those proud beings wouldn't continue to endure it.
They would definitely seek revenge.
"Then aren't they trying to kill you right now?"
"I'm with you all right now. As long as you're here, they won't attack."
"Why?"
"Devils are powerless against you guys."
"Ah, the succubi?"
Devils are very vulnerable to mental attacks.
How could beings who became devils due to their twisted minds handle succubi who use brainwashing and charm magic like it's nothing?
Of course, while wizards have developed the ‘Awakening’ spell, giving demons some resistance to the enchantment magic of succubi, it is nowhere near as effective as it is for humans.
"As long as my unit stays right here in eagle valley, they won't dare to attack. So this is a safe zone."
Agatha shrugged her shoulders proudly.
"Succubi are pretty amazing. Don't worry about the devils."
"But there's a problem when we leave eagle valley."
"Why does it matter if we leave here?"
"We're not staying in the demon realm forever, we need to go to Luxhope to receive regular supplies. When we're separated from you all, the risk of being attacked increases."
Agatha snorted.
"Well, that's not a problem. I'll send some support to Luxhope with me and some succubi. Then the devils won't be able to attack, right?"
"That's true. But then we'd have to find and eliminate all the devils hiding in the demon realm one by one. That's absolutely impossible in our current situation with only ten days left until the regular supply line arrives."
"Then what are you planning to do?"
Caesar slowly got up from the bed.
"Like I said, we need to lure them out. We'll create an opening for attack and take them all down at once. Of course, we'll need to figure out exactly what they're thinking first."
Agatha was gently led by Caesar's hand.
"So you need information?"
"Yes. I need to figure out what they're thinking."
"How?"
Caesar headed to the door with Agatha.
"You know Raum's belongings that I brought?"
"Yes. You told me to keep them, so I put them in storage for now."
"I need to read his memories using psychometry. Then we'll have a rough idea of what they're planning."
When Caesar let go of Agatha's hand to open the door, Agatha stopped him.
"Wait, if you open this door, you're going to act distant with me, right?"
"...Well, since Gloria is there? Can't be helped."
"Are you going to keep it a secret from Gloria?"
"I plan to until I reveal my identity. What do you think?"
Agatha suddenly kissed Caesar and then pulled away slightly saying:
"Don't make me anxious."
"..."
"I'm a jealous woman with lots of worries. Gloria looks too pretty to me, so I'm worried you might fall for her."
Agatha isn't saying this just to hear a simple answer like 'don't worry.'
Agatha has already heard about Gloria's feelings for Caesar, and she wants Caesar to draw a clear line about it.
That's consideration and courtesy toward a lover.
"Gloria is my disciple. I don't love her as a lover, but she's someone I care about very much."
"I know. Otherwise, you wouldn't have risked yourself like that to save Gloria. That's why I'm worried."
"Worried I'll change?"
"Yes. When you leave the demon realm, I won't be by your side. But Gloria will always be with you. I'm afraid that during the long years when you can't see me, your feelings for me will fade and your feelings for Gloria will deepen."
Agatha didn't have the courage to look into Caesar's eyes, so she buried herself in his embrace.
"So make me a promise. Promise me that you'll love me even when you can't see me."
A demon race’s promise is eternal and immortal.
That's why Agatha hasn't revealed Caesar's secret of being Barre to anyone until now.
But both Agatha and Caesar know that making a promise to love Agatha forever is meaningless.
Emotions change constantly and are imperfect, so there's no way a promise can be kept just by making it.
Caesar separated from Agatha and met her eyes.
Agatha didn't avoid Caesar's gaze.
"I'll make the promise."
However, sometimes even meaningless promises are necessary.
Words have power, and when spoken, even abstract emotions like floating clouds can solidify into a sense of duty.
"No matter what happens in this world, I won't forget that I'm the man receiving your love."
***
Caesar handed Flawless to Gloria.
"Take it and try using it."
"What? Flawless? I heard this sword was bound to you, Master."
"That doesn't mean I can fight with the sword strapped to my back. Let's see if you can use it even if I'm not around."
Gloria tentatively received Flawless from Caesar.
"...Wow, it feels like holding a feather. It's incredibly light?"
"That's because it contains a lot of pluma. Try swinging it first."
Gloria clumsily swung the sword.
"Don't swing it so carelessly, swing it with proper form. Like Gideon taught you."
"But what if Flawless's ownership transfers to me?"
"Then you can just give it back to me. Just try it first."
Gloria took a deep breath, gripped Flawless with both hands, and made a vertical slash.
Whoosh!
When Gloria swung the sword, a thin whistling sound could be heard.
"Wow..."
"How is it?"
"I thought the sword would wobble a lot from air resistance because it's so light, but it cuts straight through the wind. I've never seen such an amazing sword before."
"There's a reason it's called a legendary sword. How is it? Usable?"
Gloria swung the sword a few times.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
"It's definitely a good sword, but it's not my style. I'd prefer something a little... No, much heavier."
"We can think about that when making your sword later, but for now, use this one."
"Won't Flawless show signs of rejection?"
"Why don't we test that?"
Caesar drew Lefty and suddenly swung it at Gloria.
Gloria was startled and raised her sword to block.
Clang!
Gloria's mind cleared from the stinging pain in her palms.
Thanks to that, she could quickly react to the incoming Lefty.
Screech!
Gloria deflected Caesar's Lefty with an upward parry.
Caesar easily followed Gloria's lead and then thrust his shoulder directly at Gloria's face.
Gloria was startled by the unconventional attack and hesitated whether to pull back the sword to cut.
But that moment of hesitation created a big opening, and Gloria ended up falling forward from Caesar's body slam.
"Gloria, why did you hesitate just now? You could have pulled back the sword and cut me."
"I was worried about hurting you, Master..."
"Do I look weak enough to be wounded by your sword? You seem to be underestimating me."
Caesar grabbed Flawless’s blade and pulled it.
Gloria was startled.
"Master!"
Caesar showed his palm.
There was only a slight scratch with not a single drop of blood.
"You can't cut my skin with half-hearted attacks, Gloria. My skin can deflect bullets."
"Ah..."
"We need to fix our owl's mindset."
At the mention of owl, Gloria's survival instinct ignited.
Caesar threw Lefty to a corner of the garden.
"It's a bit disappointing not having a red hat and whistle, but these fists are enough to fix your mindset."
"M-Master?"
"From now on, it's survival training, owl. If you don't want to die, block well."
Caesar charged at Gloria like a tiger.