Chapter 111
Translator: uly
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: The End of the War
In the beginning, there was a great El.
El divided his will into three branches and left them in this world.
They were the dawn, the light that followed the dawn, and the harmony that endlessly repeated the dawn and the light.
Thus, chaos retreated from this world, and order was rightly established.
But in the void left by the retreating chaos, his kin lingered, imposing upon this land another law that stood in opposition to order.
The great El then bestowed his memory upon this world. That memory coalesced into Mir-brilliant lights of five colors.
Now, through his will and memory, the great El would vanquish chaos, the infinite kin of sin.
"That was the first Word we received."
Another archangel, Tehila, approached Archangel Jemira, who was reciting the great El's words in prayer.
At that time, both of them still bore the true form of angels, not their rigid skins.
Archangel Tehila, dressed neatly in priestly vestments, headed toward the edge of the hill where Jemira had been praying.
"This is Haba, the hidden valley of the world."
Beneath where he stood stretched a massive cliff, and far below that, something indigo or near-black undulated endlessly.
"How much time has passed since we drove Lahar-the name of madness symbolizing the sin of lust-here? No, how much blood was shed and how many sacrifices made to eradicate all the kin of sin? But now it ends. Right here and now, with our arrival."
Tehila turned back after speaking. Upon the valley's heights, tens of thousands of angels were wrapped in radiant light, poised to leap into that horrific dark-blue sea at any moment.
"Tehila!"
From amid the angelic host advanced one with mighty horns, walking slowly. He spread his arms wide in the expression of an old friend reunited and approached.
His flowing black robes billowed at his touch, revealing glimpses of his pale skin each time. Archangel Tehila stretched both arms skyward in joyful greeting.
Neshef's most faithful servant.
"Lucifer van Ivelhac."
Addressing the great Demon King, the king he himself had enthroned.
"Tehila, this will be our final battle. Ah, Jemira's here too. With two such mighty archangels, we've cornered the madness-Neshef will surely be pleased."
Jemira paused her prayer at the Demon King's words and replied.
"Not all archangels could come, but we're grateful you're satisfied with just the two of us."
"Of course, that goes without saying. With exalted Or and the heavenly will summoning so many kin of sin, everyone's off slaying their own. This madness just happened to flee to this hidden corner of the world. If I went alone, it might escape again."
Tehila chimed in agreement.
"Demon King, our task is nearly done at last. How glorious to drive out the children of chaos banished by the three gods with our own hands? Through this, we shall grow even mightier."
"Tehila, my old friend. You and the angels are too saintly for your own good-that's why demons who revel in drink and music don't mingle with you, isn't it?"
Demon King Lucifer van Ivelhac climbed higher than the two archangels and gazed down at the dark-blue sea.
How long had he pursued this madness to subdue it? He'd scoured the entire continent, even the skies and seas, yet it had hidden here.
He surveyed Haba once more.
"Even this inverted world, opposed to reality, must have its own laws."
An inverted world-such principles would be worth knowing if they could support the growing world. They might prove invaluable someday.
"But that's for later. Shall we get moving?"
The Demon King met the archangels' eyes once more and began slowly rising into the air.
As he ascended, the black sky churned violently, splitting apart and raining down light and sound.
"Angels! While Neshef fights, guard this exit well."
At his command, Jemira began her prayer, and Tehila shouted to the angels.
"Neshef descends! Join in this glorious battle, all of you! Praise him!"
The Demon King soared into the sky, and the watching angels raised their swords high.
"Praise him!"
Hymns resounded, prayers echoing in all directions.
The dark-blue sea, the shattered sky, the lights igniting along the valley, the Demon King's form-this spectacle would be unforgettable to any who beheld it.
The war between chaos and El, begun at the dawn of time, was finally drawing to a close.
"Praise him!"
Right here, in this moment, through Neshef's incarnation.
"Neshef, god of blazing dawn, dusk, and daybreak."
As the Demon King spoke, darkness seeped toward him. His black robes fluttered in the air, unable to withstand the god's indwelling, exposing his pale skin.
Traces of the god-one of this world's heaviest laws-began manifesting on his skin.
Purple patterns soon consumed his entire body, and the Demon King-no, Neshef-opened his eyes.
Behind the horns on his head, dark purple karmic flames blazed, fluttering like a mane.
"Come forth, my foe."
At the command of the incarnated Neshef, the dark-blue sea rose. Madness proliferated infinitely like the sea itself, surging with the force to shatter the valley.
A colossal wave rose, vast enough to terrify the angels, and from its depths emanated a roar akin to horrific laughter.
That was Lahar, the name of the madness symbolizing the sin of lust among the kin of sin. Those who beheld its true form firsthand could not comprehend its otherworldly nature, teetering on the brink of insanity.
"Dawn."
Yet the Demon King stood firm, his unwavering dark-purple gaze meeting it head-on.
Dawn.
All the world's darkness converged in an instant, devouring the madness.
"Twilight."
Dawn.
As the darkness-claimed sea turned utterly black, writhing in agony and despair like a dance, Neshef forged his own sword from karmic flames and cleaved with great force.
"Light that severs."
Dawn.
The sea split in that instant. An overwhelming power beyond description.
Only then did the abyss below the sea-shrouded in madness-erupt forth. The angels raised their swords in response, spreading wings to ensure not a single drop escaped this world as they charged.
At last, all the forces in this hidden valley of Haba-the kin of sin, and the god-clashed swords against one another.
***
"Or's call means Lucifer must be back. Can you believe it? Everything left by chaos is finally gone, and our new era unfolds, Promnain. The age of order."
Sonain nodded enthusiastically, even halting in place, and Promnain nodded as well.
Sonain approached, gripped his shoulder, and smiled.
He too was a child of Or, bearing wings, but smaller than the archangel Sonain by a head-and above all, mute. Sonain felt proud and gratified by this younger brother who had endured the long war thus far.
"I know how much you must regret not being able to speak today. But let's rejoice."
Sonain led him down the corridor with its wide windows revealing the brilliant sky, finally arriving at the hall. This cavern, where light scattered everywhere, was so sacred and noble that calling it the most beautiful place in the heavens felt understated.
Every ornament, pillar, wall, and floor here belonged to the god Or himself. Nothing within the body of the light-symbolizing god failed to shine, and the temple he had wrought would gleam eternally.
"Bringing your little brother again?"
All the world's races had gathered here, cheering as they watched the Demon King and angels return having captured the kin of sin-but Cheret, the Glory Mir peering through the temple's window, was not smiling.
He took the form of a young angel, as this sacred place demanded Or's desired shape.
The tomboyish Cheret, perched on the window frame, leaped down with her golden hair flowing, pointing to the center of the hall.
"Come on. Everyone's waiting."
Sonain roughly pulled Cheret into a hug and ruffled her hair affectionately.
"You love it, don't pretend. While I was talking to Promnain, you all gathered. Let's go, little brother."
Promnain followed Sonain and Cheret with a feigned smile.
At the central round table in the hall sat presences so immense they overwhelmed Promnain. Representatives of all races-he'd seen some before during war preparations-but this was his first time seeing Mir in angelic forms.
Yet Promnain quickly recognized who they truly were.
"You're here?"
The one in the form of a middle-aged woman in blue robes: Yam, Mir of the Vast Sea.
"You're late."
The red-haired warrior-like one: Agagthur, Mir of Blazing Flames.
"So it really ends at last."
The one in clinging green garb, with flowing locks draped carelessly: Ets, Mir of Gentle Winds.
"Come, Promnain. You belong here too."
The beautiful woman in archaic black attire: Iveldra, Mir of Eternity.
And beside her was none other than.
"The day has finally come, Sonain."
The saintess, king established by Harmony's Miplass and Sonain's beloved.
Archangel Jeker, guarding the saintess, smiled warmly at the pair, then laughed even more broadly as Iveldra rose, gazing at the grand doors.
"Ah! My love!"
The doors opened, and the entering Demon King ignored everyone else, flying straight to Iveldra and kissing her. All the Mir, angels, and representatives of every race watched with genuine joy. Everyone was happy.
With this long war finally over, the two would at last be united.
Promnain, who knew their hearts, smiled proudly-then faltered slightly.
The saintess was not smiling alone.