Chapter 46
Regression and the Demon King. And the saintess. I'd studied up on the saintess and the Holy Kingdom. It wasn't for long, but recalling what I'd pieced together:
'The Holy Kingdom and the Empire are allies.'
The Lehart Empire and the Holy Kingdom were in a cooperative relationship.
'The Holy Kingdom worships the Goddess and follows her revelations.'
Since gods truly existed in this world, they obeyed the words of that great being and carried out her will. Pure white and flawless. They strove to create a white, beautiful world. That was the Holy Kingdom's ethos, and that's how they appeared in the original story too.
That's why, back when things looked dicey at the start, I bolted over the moment I heard a bunch from the Holy Kingdom were coming.
In that sense, the saintess wasn't just a symbol. In a world where the Goddess existed, her chosen saintess meant...
'The Goddess's descent, basically.'
The potential and immense blessings she carried were said to be miraculous.
'But.'
Why was Eria like that? No holy power, can't do housework, pretty with big tits aside, she didn't seem all that useful. Ah, was that her entire utility? Yeah, but...
'Still, she's the saintess.'
The requirements for being a saintess couldn't just be tits and looks. The Goddess had standards, so there had to be more, but nothing came to mind watching Eria. Maybe because I hadn't seen other priests properly, but anyway.
Still, I didn't doubt she was the saintess. The proof was right there in front of me. An angel. This blatantly symbolic thing was stuck above Eria, reminding me she was the saintess. An angel on you? You're the saintess. Duh, right?
Eria seemed to think that was the Goddess, but...
'Eh.'
Goddess? Hard to say. As a god, she didn't give off that vibe? I hadn't seen a god myself, so what did I know.
Whatever. The real question was:
'How's she talking?'
She'd been flailing silently before, but suddenly showed up to me and started chatting. So I asked.
"You a virgin?"
[...]
The angel's face crumpled hard. Ah, joke fell flat. I'd tossed it out to lighten the mood. Half-curious too—last time I asked, no answer.
"Joke, joke."
Bad reaction, so I backpedaled, but her face stayed sour. No dice? Oh well.
"So. What's the deal?"
Slide past it slyly. If she doesn't bite, whatever.
[...No...]
She seemed about to say something but clamped her mouth shut. Looked utterly baffled. That shocked?
[...Ugh... No time, so straight to the point.]
"Smart move."
[I have a request and something to say to you.]
A request and words? I rubbed my sleepy eyes and waited.
[Soon, the Ikyeogyo will start moving in earnest. You must stop them...]
"...Ikyeogyo?"
Who? I narrowed my eyes, and she quickly added:
[The ones in crow masks.]
"Ah."
Got it. Those weirdos? So they were the Ikyeogyo?
[You must stop them.]
The angel asked with a serious face. Stop them? I tilted my head.
"Why me?"
[...What?]
"Why should I stop them?"
Why ask me? Weird.
[Because... you're the only one who can see me right now.]
"Nah, that's lame."
I laughed. Help just 'cause I can see you? Pretty shitty logic.
"She's right there glued to Eria, but you're asking me?"
[The Ikyeogyo will destroy the world if left alone...! As long as they're around...]
"Sounds even riskier. Why should I care?"
[You...]
She trailed off, turning away. I stared at her with cold eyes.
"Doesn't add up. I don't even know who you are, and I'm not some goody-two-shoes teen who'd jump in just 'cause I see you."
Looked like a hassle. Get tangled up 'cause I see you? Pass. No bandwidth for that.
'Gotta deal with mana sickness first.'
Life's on the line constantly. Hit 3-circle, but mana shortages still triggered backlash. Fight some cult now? No way.
"Not doing it. Find someone else."
I waved her off. As I went to lie back down—
[It's about the world's end. You'll ignore that?]
World's end, huh.
"Real manipulative."
I smirked.
"If one more person changes something that huge, anyone could do it, right? Not just me."
Seeing you isn't a crime. No interest in that burden.
"Don't expect sacrifice from me."
[Mage...]
"No upside? I'm out."
I avoid pointless meddling. Baron title incoming too. Fix mana sickness, and it's smooth romance-fantasy life ahead. Tackle hassle now? Nope.
"I'm not doing it."
I shook my head repeatedly. Go find another sucker.
As I tried to flop down—
[...B...reasts.]
"...?"
That word hit weird. I turned back.
"...What?"
[Help, and you can touch my breasts.]
"...What'd you just say?"
What the hell? Crazy?
"Who do you think I am? Insulting people has limits."
This pissed me off. Breasts in this situation? It's dangerous as fuck, and you're saying obey for a grope? Come on.
Even if... I wouldn't shake for just those—
"You're a ghost. How? Got a way?"
...Yeah, I could be swayed. Those tits were huge. Bigger and juicier than Eria's.
[...]
"If there's a way, I'll hear you out first."
[...There is. Complicated, but possible.]
"...Possible, huh."
My eyes drifted to the angel's chest.
"...Might as well hear what I gotta do?"
Words are free. No biggie. Yeah. I nodded a couple times. Always knew it: dick beats brain every time.
Roarrr!!
In terrifying flames, a woman clasped her hands in prayer.
-You'll have to give up much.
-Still going?
The merciful Goddess she served, sacrificing her life for—called it a miracle, spoke of light—told her this.
She'd grant what no human soul or form could do. But it'd cost too much. Maybe better not to. Warnings piled on, but the woman shook her head.
[I must go.]
Blazing inferno. Vast landscapes flickering to ash. A demonic realm burning all to nothing.
The eyeless woman spoke.
[What's left to fear losing? I've lost so much already.]
Those who moved to save the world were gone. The hero of radiant descent, heart pierced. The youngest Sword Master, "Scales of Justice," buried in the north he guarded.
Elves burned like moths defending the World Tree. Dwarves crushed by dragons on the frontlines, clan wiped out.
And humanity? No need to think.
Krunch!!
Nearby, humanity's last bastion crumbled.
Kyaaaaahhh!!
Demons howled. She saw it without eyes. This was the world's end.
[Where did it go wrong? From the start?]
Truly curious. The Holy Kingdom touching the untouchable? Ikyeogyo emerging? Or...
[...Finding the holy sword too late?]
Buried deep underground in the north, found by demons first. Hope slipped away. Or maybe everything.
[Goddess...]
I beg you.
[If you grant a chance... please give it to me...]
Whatever I offer, I will. For these ignorant, frail ones.
[I plead...]
Bloody hair, knees ground in. Blood streamed from eyes, unwiped. Head bowed in prayer.
-...Ahh...
The great being spoke sadly.
-My daughter... my noble, fair daughter...
Please don't. But—
-I respect your choice.
The Goddess willed it. World halted. Her time reversed.
Regression. She got her chance as the Goddess decreed. But not in flesh—a translucent ghost.
She lingered by her past self. Couldn't speak or show. What now?
The Goddess gave miracles: four pairs of angel wings. Each miracle shed a pair.
First for her past self. Saved from Holy Kingdom's trap, underground horror. Normally killed and revived—no this time.
Second: hide her existence. Make 'Eria' a perceived Hailron maid.
Used many. Past self lost holy power; she slept. Best she could.
'Please.'
Hoping it'd change fate amid anomalies.
'...This is.'
Eria—past saintess—still adjusting to the mess.
'Who the hell is that guy?'
Unseen figure. Biggest anomaly, absent from history.
Post-regression change? That existence. Absurd chantless talent, full specialization specs unheard of. Even, against Goddess's word, he saw her.
And Elise's adopted son.
'What.'
Where'd it snag? Wanted twists, but this overkill. Past Eria panicked. No memory of him. Obvious.
Where? Saving past self birthed him?
'Even the holy sword...'
World Tree relic holy sword, meant for demons. Brightest ever—not hero's, but that boy's hand.
Utterly screwed.
"...Tits. Massive tits... in my hands?"
'...'
What was this guy? A teen boy entranced by her chest.
No room for disgust. Biggest issue:
'Certain.'
Every glance confirmed.
'...He resembles him.'
One who came to mind: pre-regression. The one blanketing the world in flames. Even Goddess despaired—a rival god.
-Greetings, saintess.
Black hair, green eyes. Overwhelming presence. He who saw her said:
-I am called the Demon King.
Demon King. Lord of monsters, god of calamity. The boy clearly resembled him.