54. Our Eternal Home, Snowfall – What is Greed?
What is greed? It's one of the seven sins held by the Demon Kings, a desire so dangerous that humans should never harbor it. In its purest form, it's the sin of craving more—of wanting to have, to do, to devour everything. It blinds people to right and wrong, making them disregard any means to an end. And when humans give in to that emotion...?
In the worst cases, they fall.
Falling isn't easy. Everyone sins. Even a small lie is a sin, and eating food crushes lives beneath your teeth. So is that a sin too? But who calls it that? Petty sins don't make a human fall. So why do they?
The answer is simple. When evil desire fills them enough to abandon their humanity, they draw in the demonic energy from the air. That's how they become "demons"—monsters who've forsaken their human side.
Blinded by greed, they act on instinct alone. Unlike those directly empowered by a Demon King or one of the Four Heavenly Kings, these naturally transformed lesser demons are incredibly dangerous. Driven purely by instinct, they might even be more perilous than higher demons.
That's why—
Slice!
—you have to kill them. They can't be saved, can't go to the afterlife. Hell is all that's left for them. Hell's shadow swallows them whole. They say hell and the afterlife are bottomless, just like human greed. Is that why?
Even with both arms severed, Claus clung on stubbornly, blinded by greed.
"...I won't let you take it! If you're taking it, I'll take your soul too!"
"Who took it first...!"
Someone once said greed is the trumpet that calls forth endless suffering. Rowen could relate, at least. Whether a thousand years ago or now, greed was the prime sin that corrupted humans. Not ordinary desire, but excessive greed. A sin no one could redeem.
"I wanted to make you suffer as much as possible, but no dice."
He had to kill the bastard fast. Know why lesser demons are so dangerous? They can't suppress their sin. The sin and greed keep growing. That twisted emotion born of greed devours the self and amplifies the power. Higher demons, though, can suppress it. They can even wield its authority. That's the difference. Control versus rampage.
So Rowen resolved to end it quickly. He swung the Ice Blade shrouded in black sword energy. Not just a swing—he conjured pale blue flames, azure blaze, and slashed.
"Guh...!"
"Even a short time ain't painless."
"...You bastard!"
"What the fuck, you little shit."
Once, twice, three times. Black arcs bit short and thick into the bastard's neck. Rowen felt no fear. Lesser or higher, demons were demons. Before the Demon Slayer, they all met equal death.
Claus thrashed. Red demonic energy crackled like lightning. Rowen extended a hand, erecting a massive barrier. A curtain to keep that energy from his knights.
Temporary ward.
Divine World
Frost-blue energy burst from Rowen's grasp. It enclosed the area. Hoarfrost crept between ice pillars, weaving like spiderwebs—cold and unyielding.
"You trying to take what's mine too?!"
"How many times I gotta say it? I'm here to take back what you stole!"
"...I won't forgive you."
"Talking to a retard makes me the retard."
Especially since this fucking retard had been managing Snowfall. He could almost hear the family's reputation crumbling. Rowen kicked off the ground, charging. Claus hammered with arms of red demonic energy.
Boom boom boom! Like pounding fists into a steel wall. Powerful, muscular arms pumped.
But.
Crunch...!
"...Huh?"
"Doesn't work."
He parried the black energy barehanded. Claus panicked, not understanding why his hands corroded. He'd barely regenerated his severed arms... Why were they crumbling again?
"Let's end this quick."
Rowen's sword traced a star. Azure flames blanketed the dark sky, reflecting off the ice barrier.
Stardust
Azure shooting stars incinerated the demon before him. Then Rowen charged at Claus with all his might.
Just three seconds.
Slice!
Rowen's blade became a black flash, severing Claus's head.
*
"We've secured the gates!"
"Hah... hah... We've cleared here too!"
The soldiers' reports echoed from afar. Their joyous roars carried far.
Snowfall wasn't a massive fortress. Compared to the colossal Valenos Castle in the frozen lands, it was modest. Reclaiming one small castle—and yet their cheers shook the heavens.
They'd lost forts, the capital, homes, families. But now they could take it all back. The departed wouldn't return, but they could bury them in their own soil. The survivors had a future.
The shadows under their eyes vanished like mist, replaced by tears streaming down cheeks.
Above all, their king—who'd slain the enemy commander in one strike—approached, blood dripping from both arms. His aura and valor sent shivers through their bodies.
Could such power come from an 18-year-old youth? They never regretted making him king, their leader. It was their choice, their resolve.
Illegitimate? Bastard? Fuck that. No need to follow the defunct imperial laws. Pentagon had fallen long ago to vicious demons, its young emperor unheard from.
Their king hadn't received his name from the family. A rightful name for the great Valenos heirs. But they didn't care. He was the last Valenos of the North. He'd stayed till the end to reclaim their home.
Those standing here knew. He was Valenos! Carrying his father's legacy of great deeds!
His name was Rowen Valenos!
Who dared call him bastard? Fools and idiots! In a world without an empire, such laws meant nothing. Continents were nations, their real powers kings. The Valenos guardians of Winterer were the royal line, and Rowen their northern king.
Even without the family bestowing his name, if everyone here called him that, wasn't it done?
Every story needs a beginning to reach its end. This one too. Rowen Valenos's tale began here.
Rumors spread fast. Soon the world would know his name, and none would dismiss him as a bastard.
The knights didn't form ranks. At the gates, the walls' edges. On rooftops. In the snow. All stood, swords at ready.
Clang. Precise motions shook the heart as they saluted their king. Longswords crossed like crucifixes over their chests. A sacred air, unmoving as they awaited him.
Rowen shook the blood from his blade. He swung.
Splat! Crimson flecks stained the pristine snow. Confirmation of the enemy leader's death. Victory in war.
"...Ha!"
One soldier chuckled. The pent-up terror of battle burst free. Relief, joy, the warm feel of flesh and blood on their hands. Above all, fighting beside their king on the battlefield.
Starting with him, many trembled. They couldn't falter before their king. But... the emotions surging from deep within were unstoppable.
Rowen saw it. A faint smile as he lowered his hand toward them.
"No need for formalities."
Obvious, really. Commoner? Noble? King? As in his past life, Rowen cared nothing for that. They were all heroes here.
They'd reclaimed Winterer's heart, its capital. That alone made them worthy of pride.
"...We won?"
"For real?"
"I... I can finally go home!"
They'd started as a small band following Rowen. Now, northern heroes. And many had sacrificed. He wouldn't forget those deaths. Their names would endure in memory, carved on a grand monument.
"...You all did well."
*
Rowen, Lucius, and Arahan crossed the frozen bridge. The intensifying cold had iced the span linking south and north fortresses. No time to admire the old beauty. Even under sunlight, blood and corpses littered everywhere.
"Don't take it too hard, Young Master."
"I'm not. Just... sad my home ended up like this."
"That's what I mean by taking it hard. Though it's inevitable, I suppose. My heart's conflicted too..."
"...Yeah."
Arahan closed her eyes, lost in memory. Rowen recalled too. When was it? A pointless anecdote, maybe, but a memory for them.
"Arahan. Remember?"
"What, Young Master?"
"When I ran away 'cause I hated training."
"...Hehe, I thought I'd lose my mind searching for you then."
"Less than a minute passed."
"That minute felt like an hour to me. Or are you saying the time apart felt that short to you...?"
"...That's not it."
"A bit disappointing."
Arahan's eyes darkened. Rowen remembered two years ago. Her gaze had sunk deep once. He'd been a mess, and she'd stayed by his side so long she'd grown agitated. Fearing she'd snap in some way, a terrified Rowen had stopped her.
"...Haha. Felt plenty long."
"Lying eyes. I hate lies. Are you deceiving me again, Young Master?"
Rowen shot Lucius a pleading look.
'What? Why're you avoiding my eyes?'
Lucius turned away coldly.
'Sorry, Rowen...!'
Rowen knew it. He'd abandon him to save his own skin.
'Thought we were friends...!'
Rowen grabbed and shook Lucius desperately. The emperor rocked back and forth.
"What the hell are you doing?!"
"Save yourself first! And don't drag in a third wheel!"
"Indeed, Young Master. His Majesty looks troubled."
"W-Wait, Arahan...?"
The distance closed. Arahan blushed faintly, whispering.
"It's been ages since we set foot home. Can't we... share some affection?"
"You're acting weird."
"Yes. I know. And you made me this way."
"...I never did!"
"Hehe. No need to be shy. Now... take my hand."
Rowen desperately eyed Lucius for rescue. But...
"Sorry!"
"Your Majesty? Wait, take me too..."
"Sorry! I have to live. That was Kadan's request!"
"What the—?! Hey! You fucking bastard!"
Lucius drew Rosmerta, breaking the sound barrier. Gone in a flash, faster than anyone.
Rowen's sight held only...
"Hehe, no running away."
"...Just once. Let's rest."
"Young Master? Why flee from me...? Am I not suited for you...?"
"Aah, I'm going insane...!"
Arahan's obsessive smile.