CH 157

Chapter 157

Igdrasil took me to a spot near the root of the World Tree.

In a place where even evil spirits could not be seen, a pure white altar was erected as if carved out of ivory.

Just looking at the dozens of windows facing the altar was terrifying.

“It’s a device to scrape away black magic to the floor.”

The clone of Igdrasil that guided me became petals and scattered.

Hundreds of petals showered down and climbed up the roots of the World Tree.

I followed the wind-like movement and found a gigantic Igdrasil perched on a mighty root.

On her lap, an evil spirit howled.

Looking at the restraints attached to the dark limbs, that was obviously the demon who resurrected me in the princess’ body.

“The moment you are hit by the spear on that altar, the black magic within your body will explode to protect the host.”

I swallowed my saliva and went up to the altar.

Igdrasil’s eyes widened as if surprised by me.

“…You’re reckless. Aren’t you afraid?”

Of course I was afraid. I had never imagined a life where I had to live forever while supporting an empire.

But I couldn’t back down now. I said firmly, pressing my chest full of fear.

“I’m ready.”

I pretended to be obedient, and secretly gathered black magic at my fingertips.

‘Just before the countless spears pierce me, I’ll kill the careless Igdrasil.’

‘Although I’ll die right after that, that’s what I wanted.’

‘This is my last.’

After I firmed up my resolve, my nervous heart was relieved for an instant.

When I was living in an ant cave, I always thought I would die of starvation. From the time I came to the Duke’s Castle, I feared only the day I would die by being cut off by Alan.

I struggled all my life to live. While overcoming the crises of life and death several times, I learned what happiness was.

And this was how my life would end. It was a pretty good ending compared to what I had expected.

‘There is still one reason I don’t want to die, but…’

Sweating profusely, I clenched my fists. Thinking only of the people I would protect, I did my best to drive out my fears.

If it were me when I was young, nothing would be more important than my own life.

But now it’s different. I also have people I want to protect.

“At any cost…”

There was something I really wanted to convey to Alan. I was able to breathe comfortably because I knew it wouldn’t reach him.

“You have to be happy.”

‘You have to be alive. Anyone can be happy as long as they are alive. Just like I am happy because of my dad.’

So even if I leave forever and never come back, as Alan said, he would be fine.

“…Have a nice dream, dear.”

Igdrasil waved her hand in the air. Then, the chains that bound the dozens of spears were released at once.

All the sharp blades that ran towards me seemed to be going in slow motion.

I flashed through the station and stretched out my arms toward Igdrasil.

‘…Now!’

The elongated claws pierced Igdrasil’s body so easily.

I killed the emperor. The rebellion was successful. I have accomplished the mission I swore before Alan.

I couldn’t be pleased with that. It was because I saw the future a few seconds later, since my black magic was unlocked.

“…Huh?”

I wanted to think that it was an illusion, but the foreseen future happened just as it was.

Alan came out of the darkness.

He hugged me. A sharp blade slid down the man’s wounded back.

Even after the endless explosive sound stopped, I didn’t know what the hot blood covering my whole body meant.

***

“…I’m sorry for returning the child you saved in this way.”

Igdrasil, hit by claws, fell to the floor helplessly. She had a calm expression on her face, as if she had no regrets.

“There was nothing I could do about it. I have to kill that kid…”

The evil spirit that the emperor loved came leaning on her withered body. Igdrasil gladly embraced it in her broken arms.

“…I have to kill the Demon King, so that… you will be free.”

Igdrasil felt the cold body temperature of the black evil spirit and closed her eyes.

“Goodbye.”

Her voice, as soft and sad as a bell to announce a funeral, was completely drowned out by the sound of the world collapsing.

***

I thought the fire in hell would be a little hotter.

But the heat that surrounded me was warmer than hot. Somehow, I felt warm.

‘When does the torture begin?’

The hell I knew was a world where the devil would throw me naked in flames and torture me.

But from before, only a faint light flickered, but there was no fire, and there was no pain.

I barely got my blurred focus.

The first thing that came into my sight that shook like a haze was the broad shoulders of the person hugging me.

‘…No.’

‘It can’t be like this.’

‘This cannot happen.’

I just couldn’t accept the current situation.

But the low-pitched voice over my head reminded me that all this was real.

“…Are you…”

Keuk.

Alan stopped talking and vomited blood.

“…Are you hurt?”

Dozens of spears were lodged in his back.

My mouth hung open like a crucian carp’s. My mind went blank and nothing came out.

Alan tried to touch my cheek as if to comfort me, but fell down on one knee.

I reflexively supported him. A heavy body pressed against me.

It’s hot. Wet blood dripped from my hands as I hugged him.

“I’m sorry.”

Words that should never have come out of Alan’s mouth.

“I’m sorry that I kept you.”

Alan patted me on the back. His wounded hands were as hot as fireballs.

“I’m sorry I used you for my longing.”

“Ah…”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t love you properly.”

The words of apology fell like rain and drenched me.

“Since we met…”

Alan brushed my hair slowly. As tenderly as when I was a child.

“You have always been my family.”

I was certain of one thing in my dazed mind.

Alan was talking to me, not Lily.

“Please…”

Dry coughing sounded.

“Be happy without me.”

The sound of blood flowing.

“You are a child who deserves to be happy. You deserve it.”

Alan smiled faintly.

“You are a precious child.”

“…….”

“For staying with me for a while…”

A hard finger brushed my cheek and fell down.

“Thank you.”

Alan buried his face in the nape of my neck. The skin it touched was hot as if it were being burned.

His tears soaked me, along with drops of blood.

“…Thank you.”

Alan slumped over and lay on the altar. The blood from the stomach that had been pierced by the spear made a large puddle like a lake.

“Duke…”

I slowly knelt next to him.

“Alan?”

No matter how much I called, he didn’t open his eyes.

“…Dad?”

When I called him like this, Alan always responded. His cheeks used to twitch, or he would be startled by displeasure.

But now, Alan didn’t even move.

“…Ugh.”

I grabbed my head with both hands.

“…Ah, ugh… ah…”

Crack. Crack. Crack.

There was the sound of something twisting inside my body.

Thousands of letters flowed like a river in my mind, which was tangled like a skein of thread.

「…The whole world is bathed in darkness, and monsters rise from the earth and destroy everything.」

「When that day comes, everyone will know. That the god who created the demons is the greatest.」

「That’s how the end of the world comes.」

Sentences that could only have appeared in the ‘novel’ were overflowing.

Now I know. The words that popped into my head were reality, not fiction.

「I am the Demon King.」

This is my prophecy.

“Ugh, ugh…”

All of a sudden, my body was half demonized. I grabbed Alan’s head with my blackened arms.

A scream boiled from the stomach.

Whoo, whoo.

A mournful and familiar cry echoed through the wilderness.

All the evil spirits were howling with me.

***

Thousands of years ago, Igdrasil discovered a demon that created demons.

It knew how to handle summoning magic among black magic, and it used to summon other demons who had been hiding from the massacre to its place and resurrect them in a human body.

For the emperor, it was a golden opportunity to kill the demon king.

Igdrasil captured the demon in the magic tower and locked it up for one thing.

“Summon the Demon King.”

However, the demon did not listen to Igdrasil.

In order for demons to be resurrected from other races’ bodies, they must be left in the dark for more than 10 years after casting summoning magic, but the demon king was able to resurrect in one year due to its excellent black magic abilities.

The captured demon hid the fact and made other demons pretend to summon the demon king to buy time.

Igdrasil was angry and exploited the demons it had created.

She used the body of her young child for fear of leaking information, and there was not even a single ounce of guilt.

It was after more than a thousand years had passed since she captured the demon for the first time to feel human emotions.

The last comrade she had known since the ancient war has died.

She was alone, and she was in a position to watch the death of others forever from the God-given lifespan.

She was locked in a divine destiny.

At that time, when she was in confusion without knowing that it was painful, the demon demanded it as always.

“Set me free.”

Igdrasil felt a sense of emotion for the first time. That, too, to the demon she captured and imprisoned. It was the moment when the monster fell in love with another monster.

So, on the day she came to catch the demon who had fled with Natalia, the demon killed itself by cutting its own head, but it could not release the remaining shell.

It was locked up under a well, who cried like other evil spirits, and only dreamt of the day it would be forgiven.