61
Chapter 61
Long ago, back when Lucifer was known as one of the five Archangels, alongside Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel.
Lucifer was always curious. He wondered why only Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael were regarded as the 'Three Great Archangels.'
That curiosity led to discontent, and that discontent grew into corruption.
But this is a story from before the fall.
A story from Lucifer's days as an angel, when curiosity and discontent coexisted.
"Michael."
"What is it, Lucifer?"
Lucifer, with his pure white wings, spoke to Michael.
"I pride myself on knowing everything in the world."
"...."
"But there are exactly two things I simply cannot understand. I wonder if you could give me the answers?"
"What is it you wish to know?"
"The Lord and Chaos. The secrets of the world that only you three Archangels are privy to."
Sitting atop fluffy clouds, Lucifer and Michael chatted softly while gazing at the fading sunset.
The twilight illuminating the heavens cast a reddish glow upon their faces.
"I heard that the three Archangels, including you, Michael, have stood before the Lord."
"The Lord...."
"But I haven't. That's why I've always wondered. Who exactly is the one who created me, the one I serve and obey! What do they look like! Where are they that I cannot see them!"
"Lucifer, you still lack the 'status.' You are exceptional, so you will soon realize the 'Truth.' Wait for that day."
"So in the end, there's nothing you can tell me either, Michael? Just like Raphael and Gabriel?"
"...So you have already visited the two of them. Lucifer, let me give you a piece of advice. When you become worthy, the Lord will come to you personally. Do not harbor greed. When greed grows strong, it becomes longing, and longing becomes blasphemy."
Michael was firm. Lucifer slightly furrowed his brow.
It was because he felt as though he were being looked down upon. Even though he knew Michael would never actually do that—.
"Sure, whatever, that's just like you. Then can you tell me about Chaos?"
"Chaos, you say."
"Chaos. Literally, confusion. Nothing is known about Chaos. Even when I go to the Heavenly Realm's library, where every book in the world is kept, I couldn't find a single book researching Chaos. Chaos is mentioned a few times only in Evans' Book, and that's it."
"Lucifer."
"What."
"Put aside your thoughts of Chaos. It is a futile endeavor."
"...."
Screech—.
It was always the same answer.
And every time he heard that same answer.
Lucifer let anger build up steadily within his heart.
Because he was prideful.
Instead of sincerely admiring and following Michael like the others.
He wondered why he alone did not know the truth, why he could not stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the three Archangels, and why he could not stand beside the Lord at the peak of the Heavenly Realm.
"Ha, they think they're so great. Keeping everything they're curious about to themselves. While the angels who don't know the truth or whatever are just pushed aside."
It was a grumble born of discontent.
A small grumble that could easily be overlooked.
However, it was a thought that an angel, who must be absolutely noble, should never, ever utter.
"...Lucifer, say that again."
"What?"
"Repeat what you just said. I wish to hear it once more."
"Ha! You think you're so great, Michael! Raphael and Gabriel too! You're all so wonderful! Everyone except me!"
"Lucifer."
"What? Five Archangels? What a load of crap! What makes me or Uriel Archangels! We can't even get a hint of this 'Truth' or whatever!"
"Lucifer."
"Ah—I'd love to see that wonderful and great Lord for once. Why is this 'Truth' thing so elusive, huh? Lack of status? There is no one more beautiful than I in this world, and I lack status?"
"Lucifer!"
Suddenly, Michael raised his voice. Lucifer, who had been speaking passionately in a frenzy, only then realized his recklessness and shut his mouth.
"Lucifer."
Calling his name, Michael raised both hands. Cupping Lucifer's cheeks, Michael looked him in the face.
Michael's eyes were closed. Lucifer had never seen Michael open his eyes. Yet, for some reason, Lucifer felt that Michael was piercing through his appearance and seeing into his heart even with closed eyes.
It was a terrible feeling. It felt as though his flaws were being laid bare. Yet, he could not move an inch. It was because Michael's 'Authority' pouring over his entire body was too powerful.
"You have harbored 'evil' in your heart."
Michael's lips moved. The sunset light shone upon her right cheek facing Lucifer.
"I shall warn you. Abandon the evil. If you cannot cast away the darkness in your heart, Lucifer, you shall eventually lose your white wings."
"...."
Their conversation ended that day. Lucifer ignored Michael's advice and, consumed by pride, eventually lost his pure white wings.
Now that he has become a devil, he has no lingering attachment to his days as an angel.
Still, Lucifer occasionally reminisces.
If he had listened to that advice back then.
What kind of life would he be living now?
He was doing so even now.
Sizzle— crackle—.
"Guh... agh..."
Looking down at an angel desperately crawling on the ground, trying to survive, while slowly turning into ash.
Looking down at an angel who was once in a similar position, but had chosen a different path.
Suddenly, the former angel became curious.
Whether that angel would end up like the one before him, bursting wretchedly into putrid, festering pus.
It was then.
Flap—.
When the beat of no fewer than nine pairs of massive wings filled the vast skies of the Demon Beast Forest.
*****
Sizzle, crackle— my body is burning. I am trying to crawl forward, gripping the ground however I can, but I don't know how much longer I can hold on.
Hellfire.
Hellfire.
Stop this.
I am Archangel Uriel, not kindling for you to burn.
Flame that incinerates evil, I am not a sin.
I am... not... a sin...
Am I?
A confused mind, searing pain, a scorched throat.
Within that, one scene remains clear. It is like a revolving lantern. Whether an angel or a human, the act of recalling the past before death is the same.
Perhaps, she...
That great angel who was my friend might have foreseen this situation...
"Michael! What is the meaning of this!"
Slam—!
I kick open the doors of the temple and stomp toward an angel.
The angel's golden hair flows and sparkles brilliantly in the sunlight.
Archangel Michael.
Unlike me, one of the primordial angels and one of the Three Great Archangels.
"Why did you revoke the Authority of Clairvoyance that the Lord gave me!"
Bang! I slam my palm down on the desk where Michael is working. Despite this being enough to spoil anyone's mood, Michael does not frown in the slightest.
"That power does not suit you, Uriel."
"Why are you the one deciding that! It is an Authority granted by the Lord!"
"Because you, Uriel, have not reached the 'Truth.'"
Unlike me, who is arguing in agitation, Michael is calm. Peaceful and quiet.
But not light. That is what makes Michael terrifying.
"Uriel, 'Destruction of Evil' is not necessarily bad, but you have gone too far. I judge that granting the Authority of Clairvoyance to someone like you may be dangerous."
Still, this is too much.
I continued to press Michael, fueled by rage.
"Have you forgotten that I was the one who informed Gabriel about Lucifer hiding on earth!"
"I remember, Uriel. I am grateful for what happened then, and it is a deed worthy of praise. However, even so, Clairvoyance does not suit the current you."
"Then give me a detailed explanation! Destruction of Evil, Judgment! What on earth is wrong with them! Isn't it a good thing to hunt and kill evil beings as much as possible!"
"-How can you not know?"
Michael's eyes are closed. Golden pupils must lie beyond, but Michael has never once opened their eyes. Instead, smooth eyelids occupy the space where eyes should be.
"That Judgment refers to mercy and embrace. That cutting the cycle of sin is true Judgment. How can you not know?"
"The cycle of sin is broken when they are killed!"
"No, if you kill a sinner, that sinner's descendants will hate you. Most of those descendants will not be able to get revenge on you, Uriel, but you must bear the resentment of millions. That is not Judgment."
"Then what am I supposed to do! Mercy and embrace? Do you think such soft things will work on sinners? Do you know what kind of people they are!"
"As I said before, I am not denying 'Destruction of Evil.' I am simply telling you to reduce the frequency. Since you are too overheated right now. I will return Clairvoyance to you when I feel you are doing well."
Michael.
The Archangel among Archangels.
The being known as one of the 'Three Great Archangels' alongside Raphael and Gabriel.
The being who grasped the 'Truth' that I could not reach.
Normally, I should have been obedient to Michael.
"I can't accept this! Michael!"
At that time, I was furious with Michael. I wasn't without envy, either.
We were both Archangels, so why only you guys?
"And if this 'Truth' is so great, why can't you just tell it to me in words!"
"Uriel, the Truth is something one realizes for oneself. It cannot be simply handed over by another. The only advice I can give you is... to let go of your excessive will."
"Ha...!"
"Please understand, Uriel. You are straying. A temporary lapse is no matter, but if you delve too deeply into that stray path, it may lead to irreversible consequences."
"If the Truth were that easy to realize, I would have done it long ago!"
I knew Michael was not an angel who would speak untruths.
She was the most noble of all angels, the Lord's agent.
Michael was the one who looked down upon all creation from the edge of wisdom. The same went for the other two of the three Archangels.
-Except for me.
Suddenly, feelings of inferiority surged. My chest felt tight and suffocating, and I wanted to vent my anger.
Angels are not perfect beings. They are simply a bit smarter, live a bit longer, and are a bit more powerful than humans.
The word 'perfect' was reserved for the three Archangels or the Lord.
"Uriel, do you know why I closed my eyes and stopped seeing the light of the world?"
"...You never told me."
"It is to avoid distinguishing between self and other. Since all beings are governed by emotion, purely rational judgment is nearly impossible unless one is a machine. I am no exception.
That is why I closed my eyes. To make judgments based solely on the situation, without distinguishing between ally and enemy. So that I would not be cold to enemies while being generous to allies. To be cold to everyone if I must be cold, and generous to everyone if I must be generous.
One who judges must be so. Since I weigh the souls on a scale, I blindfold myself and feel only the weight. I believe it is right for you, too, to be so in your heart if you claim to be the Lord's agent."
"...."
"I know this sounds like vague nonsense to you. However, you must keep this in mind."
Michael never spoke empty words.
"Uriel, I could make you destroy yourself with a few words, without using any Authority. This is not because I am great, but because you are straying."
Knowing that fact, I should have taken her advice to heart.
"Everything must have been fine until now. Because those you punished were all beneath you, Uriel. But you must not forget. There are supreme beings in this world that you do not know. The moment you encounter one of them, and the moment that being whispers a few playful words to you, you will face self-destruction."
Of course, I failed to do so.
"I hope you realize the 'Truth' on your own soon, reflect on your past, and stand beside me, Uriel. You are good. There are few in the Heavenly Realm as steadfastly good as you. However, you are so captivated by that goodness that you fail to see your surroundings. Please keep that in mind. Bamboo is beautiful because it is straight, but a single bamboo standing alone is merely desolate."
I did not understand what Michael meant and became even more obsessed with Destruction of Evil and Judgment. The pressure to realize the elusive Truth and the humiliation of being an Archangel but not one of the three pushed me harshly.
As a result, I ended up like this.
Whoosh—!
"Screeee!"
Within the wavering flames, my wings had long since burned away. The white robes draped over my body had turned into black ash.
I am a fool.
A fool who couldn't look to the side.
A fool who couldn't look behind.
A fool who only knew how to look forward.
"Scre... a... gh... uu..."
Lord.
Holy, benevolent, and noble Lord.
Cold Lord. Resentful Lord. Merciless Lord.
Why do You bestow such a trial upon me?
How am I to live now?
I was wrong.
I was wrong.
I distorted and misunderstood Your will and committed blasphemy.
However, I never intended to look down upon You. It was all due to my own dull ignorance.
Now that my wings are torn and my Authority is gone.
What must I do?
Must I receive this punishment and vanish forever?
Is that truly Your will?
Flap—!
At that moment, eighteen pure white wings descended upon my body.
Lifting my head in a daze, a face I believed I would never see again entered my sight.
"Mi... Mi... Michael...?"
"Uriel."
*****
She came.
The real deal, the ones I'd been waiting for.
And three of them, no less.
"I-it wasn't me! Michael, Raphael, Gabriel! I didn't make Uriel like that! I am innocent!"
The devil, now the center of the three Archangels' attention, waved his hands frantically.
He was desperate. This was not the behavior one would expect from the Devil of Pride.
Lucifer knew.
He knew that these three were not beings he could dare to oppose.
How ridiculous. Lucifer, who had looked down upon the Lord they served, was now cowering before that Lord's servants.
Well, that's why he is 'Pride.' Despising things that one cannot possibly overcome. Devils aren't devils for nothing; they are devils because they are vile.
"Look at him! It's Chaos! That Chaos right there! The Chaos you kept strictly secret is the one who did this to Uriel!"
My ancestor pointed his finger at me. Honestly, maybe it's because he's my ancestor, but he really is despicable. Look at him ratting out his descendant just to survive. I expected as much, though.
"Uriel... how on earth did you end up like this..."
A boy with a gentle face—the kind of soft features that could soften the heart of even the most wounded person in the world—knelt before Uriel, who lay sprawled on the ground.
Saint Raphael, the Archangel who 'heals the sick traveler.'
"...I see. It finally came to this. How tragic. You were an angel of unmatched integrity, Uriel..."
An angel with gray wings muttered beside Uriel with a bitter expression. This was the being famous for announcing the birth of the Messiah to the Holy Mother.
Saint Gabriel, the Archangel 'strongest among all.'
"Lord, please grant us Your mercy. No matter how many ages pass, we are all ignorant. To embrace those who make mistakes with warmth and generous forgiveness—was that not Your teaching?"
The angel, eyes closed softly, wrapped both hands around Uriel's burning hand. The angel pressed it to their forehead and began to recite a fervent prayer.
Saint Michael, the Archangel 'closest to the Lord.'
If a believer of the Holy Church saw this combination, they would likely foam at the mouth and die of sheer holiness. Unfortunately, Beatrice, the only member of the Holy Nation here, had already fainted.
The flames consuming Uriel gradually died down. Raphael infused holy power into Uriel's body to heal the indelible wounds. The torn wings, however, could not be restored.
"I know, Lucifer. I saw everything with Clairvoyance."
Michael's closed eyes turned toward me. Her clean face stared straight through me.
I felt a slight tension. These three were on an entirely different level compared to someone like Uriel or Lucifer.
They were those who, like myself and the Saint, had realized the Truth. My clumsy words could not tear down the noble fortress they had built. Even if I died and came back to life, I couldn't leave a single scratch on them right now.
They were watching with Clairvoyance? I already knew. In fact, that was exactly what I wanted.
Uriel is an Archangel. While Uriel and Lucifer envied the three, the three did not. Setting aside the completely fallen Lucifer, there were likely none who loved Uriel as much as Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.
Killing such a Uriel? Impossible. Unless one wanted to be ripped in half by angels.
That's why I didn't kill Uriel. I only gave a few threats. I knew those three would rush here in no time.
That was also why I planted a Heart Demon in Uriel. Heart Demon? Qi Deviation? I can't remember the exact term. The Eastern Grand Duke of the Demon Realm told me in his previous life, but since it was a past life, I'm a bit hazy on it.
"Grrrr... Woof! Woof woof!"
"What is it, Aru? Why are you barking?"
"The energy is too huge! Young Demon, hide behind me! Woof woof!"
"What, are you trying to protect me now? You were just picking your ears in the back while I was facing Uriel."
"Because I trusted the Young Demon! Woof woof woof! But those guys are no good! No matter how great the Young Demon is, those guys are too much! Run! I'll buy you time!"
Wow, is she actually saying she'll die in my place? To protect me?
"Woof woof! Hurry! There's no time!"
What a cute thing. Still, a dog is a dog; she knows how to be loyal to her owner. No, if she's willing to give her life, isn't that something beyond loyalty? Anyway, I'm touched.
But Aru, now is not the time for you to step forward.
Step—.
I stepped forward, pressing down on Aru's fluffy head with my palm. Aru barked at me to stop, but I had a plan.
I took off my magician's hat with one hand, held it upside down, and bowed toward the angels. My head, however, remained held high.
"Pleased to meet you! Ladies and gentlemen! I am Oscar Lucifer, your youngest and a baby angel! I wonder if you enjoyed the performance!"
The three angels gazed at me. I must seem strange and repulsive to them. After all, I had completely broken Uriel, whom they loved.
However, because they love Uriel more than anyone.
They have no choice but to follow my lead.
"Oh dear, looking at your faces, it seems the show wasn't to your liking... It can't be helped! Just as an author cannot write a story that satisfies everyone, I cannot create a performance that satisfies every angel! Still, a professional magician should clean up after the show, right?"
"What is it you wish to say, magician?"
Michael asked in a voice that was calm but not bright.
I grinned.
"The wingless Ms. Uriel cannot return to the Heavenly Realm. And unlike Ms. Uriel, who was summoned by me to the Demon Realm, you all broke the laws of both realms to come here, so you can only stay for a few moments! Almost all your Authorities will be restricted as well. This means Ms. Uriel will inevitably be left here alone... Oh? But she's become so weak that she'd either die of natural causes or be eaten by a passing predator if left alone. Without a guardian, today would be her funeral."
Actually, this isn't the end of today's show.
It's the highlight.
"I'll give you four options! Lucifer, Lucifer's descendant, the wolf girl raised by Lucifer's descendant, or the Holy Knight who follows Lucifer's descendant. Who will you entrust her to? Oh, and just in case you kill me, the options of the Holy Knight and the wolf girl naturally disappear!"
Today's show is a balance game.
Go ahead and pick one.
You great angels.