Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: Pillar of Light
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Pillar of light.
Truth be told, even with a divine command, it was nothing short of a miracle that the Observer had created something this grand at this point in time.
Igugwoden's "divine words" promising to meet again someday, the overwhelming amount of "Divine Power" he had bestowed, and the Observer reborn as a living being because of it.
It was obvious that if even a single gear in the mechanism hadn't meshed perfectly, not even the concept would have formed, let alone the creation.
Little by little—
Witnessing the once-impossible divine will turning into reality, it couldn't suppress its shivers once more.
—All for Lord Igugwoden.
"All for... Lord Igugwoden..."
The Observer thought.
How merciful our god truly is.
How much does our god love us, to bestow such grace upon us?
—It can only be explained as good fortune.
"Fortune...?"
—You would know, wouldn't you? Who the god is that looks down upon the world... and what effect that has on our existence.
"......"
The Observer carefully steadied its breathing.
It had only known it conceptually before—but now that it had gained life. Now that it could think. It could draw a clearer conclusion.
"You're talking about a god whose intent toward us isn't 'love'?"
—Divine Power can do anything. From changing the world to destroying it.
A god that craves only violence.
A god whose sole desire is destruction and slaughter. A god that literally "enjoys" the shattering of worlds, with no other explanation possible.
The Observer and "it" were inferior beings who couldn't even glimpse the divine realm, so they hadn't encountered such a god until now—
But somehow, they had known from birth about the worlds ruined by such gods' hands.
Worlds that sank alongside their inhabitants as they crumbled under the power tossed down by the god, yet never able to defy divine will.
—We who need 'Divine Power' live by borrowing it in exchange for shining our worlds upon the gods. That's why we must grant whatever the god desires. Even if it leads to ruin.
"...I know."
—To be honest, I could adapt even now if Lord Igugwoden changed his mind... but you, now capable of thought, couldn't.
Hearing that, the Observer gazed at the pillar of light and carefully opened its mouth.
"It's fine."
"The Lord... Lord Igugwoden... would never abandon us."
Not only those it could directly observe, but even to us who merely watch them—he extends his grace with such a warm disposition.
It was unthinkable that Lord Igugwoden, with his shining heart, would wish to destroy our world.
—We must not lose sight of our duty until the end.
"No need to... worry... it's fine..."
Finishing her response, the Observer lay back down in place.
Her mind was growing hazy; it seemed she had exhausted all her strength creating the small pillar of light.
—Since we're conversing directly, you've heard what the Lord truly desires, haven't you?
"What he desires..."
What Lord Igugwoden most desperately desires—union with the woman who receives his divine love.
At the very least, some form of "connection" with them.
"I have... a question."
—What is it?
"I..."
For some reason, the Observer hesitated before carefully moving her pink lips.
"Am I... a woman?"
—That's something you should know better than I.
The Observer gently caressed her soft chest—
"We... are loved by the Lord, right?"
And then.
After a long silence—
—What are you trying to say?
"......"
The Observer slowly closed her eyes.
Her face burned.
This was the first physical sensation she'd felt since becoming a living being.
Was it an extension of the "embarrassment" she'd felt before?
Like a newborn entity learning emotions through various experiences—the Observer was gradually mastering the privilege of the living: feelings.
"Next time... for Lord Igugwoden... Lady Eirene, who is loved by him... her bathing scene..."
Instead of responding to it, she murmured that to herself, and soon enough, her strength gave out... and she fell asleep.
Becoming a living being also meant gaining a body that required sleep for rest.
Was this a fair price—or an appropriate one—for "evolving" into a being capable of independent thought?
And then.
Unlike the Observer, who had been born with life, "it"—able to view the situation objectively due to lacking life itself—muttered something incomprehensible while staring at the sleeping Observer.
"Am I... a woman?"
Indeed.
Thinking beings often tossed out utterly incomprehensible remarks.
Just like humans. Feeble humans, so fragile they couldn't move forward without depending on something.
But.
Compared to its own plight—forced to crave only Divine Power, unable to even choose whether to advance or not—what then?
Gazing at the objective sequence of events, it spoke without emotion.
—If your rebirth as a living being is the 'divine will,' and even this faint connection to their realm is also the 'divine will'...
It muttered for a while before vanishing into the darkness.
The vivid pillar of light stood watch over the lone, slumbering Observer.
* * *
"...Hiiyaah?!?"
Erin, who had been praying in the Saintess's room, let out a groan as if receiving a divine spirit and opened her eyes.
Her neck arched back... and her body shuddered.
'It's coming in...!!!'
Erin, bearer of divine truth, could hear it.
The divine will.
What the Sole God, Lord Igugwoden, truly desired!
Though, being merely human, directly comprehending that will was impossible...
Even indirectly reading Lord Igugwoden's intent was impressive enough.
That's why, as the 'Saintess,' she could wield absolute power over all.
"Haa... haa..."
Erin savored the 'divine will' flowing through her body for a long while...
Then, carefully rising, she cherished her Holy Scripture and spoke.
"Cecilia. Are you there?"
"You called, Saintess?"
Cecilia's voice came from beyond the door.
"Could you gather everyone I name right away?"
* * *
In the conference room of Igugwoden Citadel.
Ballus, seated across from Eirene—who energetically handled state affairs daily—nodded.
"Then, I believe this concludes the third proclamation."
"Very well. Anything else to add?"
"No. Since it fully reflects the Demon King's will, I'm satisfied."
Eirene was drafting the third proclamation with Ballus, the demon representative.
The core was expanding interaction ranges between demons and humans, and abolishing the obsolete "line not to cross"—a rule rendered moot by rapid implementation and negligible demonic energy side effects.
"How are the demons faring?"
"The Empire has permitted so much that they're living very healthily. Young demons no longer die from deficient demonic energy or lack of sunlight. From a human perspective, our appearances are frightening... but we're always grateful for their kindness."
"That's fortunate indeed. I can only hope this peace endures."
"I agree."
Eirene extended her hand to Ballus for a handshake.
"By the way... Demon King-chan—no, the Demon King...?"
"She said she has other matters to attend to."
Eirene nodded regretfully.
She wanted to meet the cute Demon King whose ears perked up with every step, share snacks, give a lap pillow after so long, and shake a rattle... but it would be ridiculous to summon her when she's busy.
Despite appearances, she was the supreme ruler of the demons. Eirene knew she deserved utmost respect and propriety from all demons.
"Next time, perhaps I should visit the dungeon myself."
"Would that be alright? Even without demonic energy's harm, my kin might still seem grotesque and terrifying to Your Majesty."
"No."
Eirene shook her loose side hair with elegant poise, curving her lips gracefully.
Her crescent-moon eyes brimmed with captivating allure.
"A woman fully ripened doesn't judge everything by appearances alone."
"I see..."
At that moment.
"My apologies for interrupting the meeting, Your Majesty."
A soldier's voice came from beyond the door.
"What is it?"
"The Saintess has arrived."
"...?"
The Saintess has come?
"I'm fine with it, Your Majesty. We've finished the important discussion anyway. Please proceed."
Eirene gave Ballus a light nod.
"Let her enter."
The door opened, and God's woman, Erin in her Saintess robes, approached Eirene slowly.
"Welcome, Saintess."
"Greetings, Your Majesty. I trust you've been well?"
"Thanks to you, Saintess, I've passed each day safely. But what brings you here so suddenly...?"
"I need to take you somewhere."
"Me?"
As Eirene tilted her head in confusion, Ballus bowed carefully.
"I'll take my leave first then..."
Just as she turned to exit the conference room.
"Wait."
"?"
Saintess Erin stopped Ballus, who was heading out.
"You're Ballus the demon, correct?"
"Yes, but."
"Hmm..."
Erin stared at Ballus with utmost seriousness.
To be precise... she stared piercingly at her chest.
'...???'
Sensing the oddly sticky gaze, Ballus shrank her shoulders in embarrassment—
"It might be good if you joined us too. What do you say?"
"Me?"
"Yes. Do you have any prior engagements?"
"No, nothing in particular..."
"Then, could you join us for a bit?"
Ballus thought quickly.
To humans, Saintess Erin was as revered as Emperor Eirene.
'For the demons' permanent peace, maintaining good relations with the Saintess is crucial.'
"Of course."
"Wonderful! Then, both of you, this way please?"
* * *
The place Eirene and Erin arrived at was the auditorium of Igugwoden Cathedral.
Though they were diligently filling it, the space still felt somewhat empty—and there, the entire Dish of Holy Knights had gathered.
"You've arrived, Saintess. Greetings, Your Majesty."
As Ophelia greeted them, the rabbit atop her head hopped about.
"Igogodon! Igogodon!"
"Long time no see, Rabbit Lord."
The rabbit, about to leap into Eirene's arms—
"...Igogodon?"
"?"
Caught sight of Ballus following behind Eirene.
A woman with long purple hair, appearing intensely seductive.
The rabbit stared silently at Ballus—
Then hopped right into her arms.
"Ah...?!"
Catching the rabbit barely, Ballus felt it coil up in her embrace and speak.
"Igogodon! Sing Singdon!"
"Pardon? Wha... sing, singdon...?"
"It seems the Rabbit Lord takes a liking to you."
"To me?"
At Ophelia's words, Ballus blushed slightly.
"Yes. He's calling you a 'fresh woman.' If you're willing, I'd appreciate it if you indulged him."
Wondering what "fresh woman" even meant—
"Understood. It's no trouble."
Ballus looked down at the rabbit in her arms.
The Demon King had mentioned being moved by humans' desire for dialogue despite this "divine beast" capable of wiping out demons at any moment...
'This rabbit must be that divine beast.'
Snow-white, fluffy fur with beady black eyes like raisins blinking away.
Overwhelming power hidden behind its cute form, ears perked as it looked around.
Ballus stayed wary... but if Ophelia was right, it liked her?
'...It is cute...'
The rabbit rolled around in Ballus's arms for a while, then hopped back into Eirene's.
Eirene stroked its head with a benevolent smile.
"Pya! Jari Gotdon! Jari Gotdon!"
"Hehe, Rabbit Lord. You noticed I was feeling neglected, thinking you'd abandoned me."
"Igogodon! Geukra Kidon!"
"Yes, yes."
It felt less like a mighty divine beast and more like an adorable pet—
But the overwhelming aura of power was genuine, so Ballus didn't lower her guard.
"Saintess. Why have you gathered us?"
"We heard it was something important..."
At Luca and Linea's questions as they listened quietly, Erin nodded—
"Thank you all for coming. Actually..."
Erin extended her index finger skyward—
"Today, it has come down. The words of Lord Igugwoden."
"...!!!"
She conveyed her received 'oracle,' the divine selection, to those chosen by God.
"From now on, we're all going to bathe together!"