Chapter 17: The Proud King of All Demons

Ren decided to speak with Ian alone for a moment.

"I see... you too lost someone precious..."

After hearing his story, Ren could tell they were in similar situations.

"So the Akashic Archive truly does have the power to resurrect the dead and elevate them to godhood."

For a mere game, its influence was immense - but to think it could actually resurrect the dead and grant divine ascension.

This went beyond what could be explained by Dream Power alone.

"To be precise, it's only possible in special cases."

*Woong-*

As Ian wiggled his finger, magical power flowed from the bracelet he wore, forming a hologram.

"As you know, your Constellation Name changed. From 'The Sacrifice That Fell To Sloth' to 'The Sacrifice That Overcame Sloth'. And mine from 'Magi-Engineer Consumed by Wrath' to 'The Magi-Engineer Who Cast Off Wrath'."

The hologram displayed the Constellation Names in glowing text.

"But haven't you noticed something strange?"

"What do you mean?"

"Neither of us had anything to do with Sloth or Wrath in our mortal lives. You were never slothful, and I rarely expressed anger. Yet these sins were embedded in our Constellation Names that were meant to represent us."

"..."

"And the other gods called us 'Sloth' and 'Wrath', as if those were our true identities."

Ren nodded.

She too had felt something was off about her former self after overcoming Sloth.

"Until I cast off Wrath, I never once questioned the rage that would sometimes consume my mind. It was as if I had been brainwashed."

"You mean..."

"Some transcendent being must have secretly implanted concepts like 'Sloth' and 'Wrath' during our divine ascension with some specific purpose in mind. There's no other explanation."

Sloth...

She had to admit it was strange.

How could she, who had always lived diligently and trained from dawn, end up lounging in bed wasting time?

It made sense if someone had twisted the essence of her divinity by inserting Sloth before Sacrifice during her ascension to Constellation.

'...I suppose this means I owe another debt to that girl and her Apostle.'

They had helped her see herself clearly and overcome Sloth.

Just how many debts was she accumulating?

It was becoming troublesome to figure out how to properly express her gratitude.

"Who could this transcendent being be?"

"...I don't know. We lack too much information right now. All I can say for certain is that whoever did this to us likely isn't happy that we overcame our respective sins."

"Which means they could potentially interfere with us or the Akashic Archive."

"Exactly. That's why I said I would protect them. Our benefactors could be targeted by this transcendent being."

"...I understand. But what did you mean about resurrection and ascension only being possible in special cases?"

"I researched countless methods to resurrect my beloved - from reversing time to synthesis through cognition. But nothing worked. My final attempt was to use the Akashic Archive to implant awareness of Kate across the continent and concentrate that divinity to create a god."

"So you tried to artificially create a god through worship, like me."

"Precisely. But it failed. This wasn't something that could be achieved artificially."

"Then how were my comrades and your lover able to be resurrected?"

"That's the key point. According to my theory, it was possible because of the sins we conquered."

"...What do you mean?"

"The words attached to our Constellation Names contain power. Your 'Sacrifice' represents one of the virtues of the 7 Great Heroes, while my 'Magi-Engineer' represents one of the Three Great Sages. Therefore, 'Sloth' and 'Wrath' must also contain power."

"So you're saying that some transcendent evil being implanted sins to oppress us, but the power we gained from overcoming those sins enabled the resurrection of our loved ones... is that it?"

"Exactly. ...Of course, it's just a theory, and in my case there are some timing issues that need to be worked out. But the point is that the Akashic Archive can't just manifest anyone into reality."

"I see... should we consider this fortunate?"

So there are limitations.

Indeed, if any game character could be manifested, all the other characters should have appeared as well, but they hadn't.

"What an interesting conversation."

Kuuuung!

"Ugh!"

"T-This is!"

Along with an unfamiliar woman's voice, pitch-black demonic energy enveloped Ren and Ian.

"A Unique Domain..."

The ultimate power of gods that manifests their personal realm as a barrier.

The inside is completely isolated from the outside unless permitted by the domain's owner.

Getting help from their allies outside was essentially impossible now.

"Indeed. This is my Unique Domain, [Pandemonium]."

The darkness rippled as a woman with demon-like horns appeared from thin air.

With an alluring gaze, she created a throne and sat upon it.

Constellation Name [Proud King of All Demons].

The Demon God Havnis.

One of the Five Great Rulers who ascended to become a Demon God after defeating her predecessor Perlereino, the continent's worst mass murderer, and bringing harmony between demons and other races.

Looking up at her, Ian and Ren gulped.

Even though the 7 Great Heroes, Three Great Sages, and Five Great Rulers were considered equals, she was different.

Famous for being unmatched in one-on-one combat, she possessed both innate talent as a Demon King and inherited the battle experience of all previous Demon Kings, backed by immense divinity gathered from the faith of all demons.

Even though Ian and Ren had grown stronger after overcoming their sins, their chances of victory were very low in the current situation where her mental world had manifested.

"Why are you here? This is my domain."

"Something caught my interest."

Havnis twisted her lips.

"Those who should remain dead have been resurrected, ignoring the basic laws of the world."

!!!

Ian and Ren's eyes widened.

"As one who stands at the pinnacle of demons, how could I call myself a Demon King if I couldn't perceive this much?"

*Whoosh-*

As Havnis crossed her legs, flames of demonic energy ignited in her hand.

"I have questions for the deceased. Tell me the identity of the one who resurrected them."

"..."

They hadn't expected a threat to their benefactor to arrive so quickly.

Ian and Ren exchanged glances and nodded.

"I'm afraid we can't do that."

"We cannot repay kindness with betrayal."

"...Lesser beings often don't know their place."

"Are you sure about this? Fighting is forbidden in the Divine Realm. If you harm us, you'll be condemned and executed by all the gods."

The Demon God smiled wickedly.

"Execution? Condemnation? How amusing. Who exactly do you think could pass judgment on me?"

*Kugugung-*

Havnis's mental world shook.

"Let me teach you the difference in our ranks."

*KWAAAANG!*

* * *

[The Magi-Engineer Who Cast Off Wrath's right mechanical arm has been severed.]

[The Sacrifice That Overcame Sloth's abdomen was struck by a magic bullet.]

[The Sacrifice That Overcame Sloth temporarily loses consciousness and falls to the ground.]

[The Magi-Engineer Who Cast Off Wrath transforms his left arm into a beam weapon.]

[The Magi-Engineer Who Cast Off Wrath's energy is depleted.]

[The Magi-Engineer Who Cast Off Wrath's left arm transformation stops mid-process.]

I felt wide awake.

To think those powerful beings - one of the 7 Great Heroes and one of the Three Great Sages - could be so thoroughly demolished.

Through reading the thoughts of the two Constellations, I learned their opponent was [Proud King of All Demons], one of the Five Great Rulers.

Her strength was beyond imagination.

I had to do something.

At this rate, our investors might be killed.

To think they would be killed for refusing to reveal my identity in order to protect me.

As the one they were protecting, I couldn't just stand by and watch.

"Lady Constellation! Could you project me into the Divine Realm as a dream?"

[The Dream Storyteller is startled.]

[The Dream Storyteller asks if you're thinking of going to the Divine Realm.]

"There's no time. Our investors are in danger."

[The Dream Storyteller says it's possible but dangerous.]

[The Dream Storyteller explains that while they can send your mental form as a dream while keeping your body here, if that dream form is killed, you could become brain-dead in reality.]

"..."

Hearing I could become brain-dead made me hesitate slightly.

I had become the director of a continent-wide hit game, but I was still powerless without Lady Constellation's help.

For someone like me to try stopping a Demon God that even high-ranking gods struggled against...

"It's... alright."

My body trembled uncontrollably.

"Don't worry, I'll return safely."

But I couldn't abandon the two gods.

They were among the few who had shown me kindness since I came to this world.

Moreover, I could still hear their thoughts as they fought to protect me at the risk of their lives.

How could I just watch?

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

Paat-*

"ARGHHHH!"

"My time is precious, so I'd appreciate if you'd speak up quickly."

When I opened my eyes again, I saw a black-haired woman torturing the Magi-Engineer.

I could also see the goddess Ren collapsed behind her.

"Stop right there."

When I spoke, her head slowly turned toward me.

Yellow eyes stared directly at me.

Her gaze seemed to pierce through my entire being.

"B-Benefactor?! No! This woman is danger-ack!"

"Be quiet and don't interfere."

The Demon God slammed the Magi-Engineer's head into the ground, knocking him unconscious.

...Come to think of it, I just confronted not just any transcendent being, but a mature Constellation, a god.

Maybe I acted too hastily.

[...Dream Power... that would explain it, she thinks.]

Just then

[...Indeed, Dream Power could make it possible, she thinks.]

Her thoughts flowed into my mind.

[The Proud King of All Demons thinks Dream Power could manifest the former Demon King.]

The Demon God's thoughts... I can read them?

Beyond Ren and the Magi-Engineer, now I can even read the Demon God's thoughts...

What's going on?

"Dream Apostle. I have a proposal."

The Demon God lifted the Magi-Engineer by the neck. His unconscious body dangled limply.

"Create the dream I desire. In exchange, I will spare their lives."

[The Proud King of All Demons is certain you'll comply since you appeared to save their lives.]

"...Very well."

No choice, I suppose.

As a mere human who happens to be a god's apostle, there's no way I could physically overpower a god.

And I can't refuse the proposal and run away when our investors are in danger.

These investors who refused to reveal anything about me even as they were being killed by the Demon God to protect me.

I couldn't let them die.

"I accept."

That's all I can do.

Lady Constellation, I'll be borrowing your power briefly.

I deployed Dream Power.

Guuung-

Like a black curtain unfurling, the dream swallowed up both me and the Demon God.

[The Proud King of All Demons thinks this must be Dream Power... and that she could escape if she wanted.]

As expected, this alone won't contain her.

No matter.

I'm aiming for something else anyway.

"Tell me what dream you desire. I'll create it for you."

I'll create a dream you'll never wake from.

Being pushed around isn't really my style.