Chapter 18
A Desolate Field
The volcanic debris that erupted from underground completely blocked the sky, preventing even a single ray of light from reaching the surface.
In the darkness where one could barely see ahead, half the continent was submerged in burning lava.
Leading this lava-covered land was a demon with red eyes.
Mass Murderer Perlereino advanced.
*Thud-*
At that moment, a black-haired girl blocked her path.
"...Havnis."
Perlereino gazed at her with sorrowful eyes.
"Reino. Please stop now..."
The girl cried out with tears.
"Is this... is this what you meant by the way for us to survive? This is too much!"
The continent was covered in lava.
Countless lives were swallowed.
Even superhumans couldn't withstand the power of the Lord of the Underworld.
"This isn't a way for us to survive - it's a way to kill everyone except us!"
The girl couldn't believe this was the choice made by the Demon King who had been so kind and gentle.
"Step aside, Havnis."
The Demon King's voice was no longer warm.
Her cold, hardened voice echoed softly.
"I don't want to kill you. So step aside."
"Reino!"
The girl called out, hoping the former version of her would return.
"...You truly intend to defy me?"
*Whoosh-*
Six lava vortexes rose up, taking the form of serpents.
"If you intend to stop the demons' salvation, I'll have to deal with you too. I don't want to kill you since finding a new suitable Demon King candidate won't be easy."
"Reino..."
There was no longer any warmth to be found in the Demon King's eyes as she looked at the girl.
Only hostility toward an obstacle.
That was all she could see.
"Even so... I will stop you."
*Woong-*
Demonic Energy settled upon the girl.
Black armor and wings enveloped her.
The girl took flight, gripping a sword created from concentrated Demonic Energy.
"How unfortunate. I'll have to find a new candidate."
The Demon King extended her hand.
"Given our history, I'll make this painless."
*Kieeek!*
Dozens of lava serpents surged toward the girl.
Drip...
Drip...
"Cough!"
The Demon King coughed up a handful of blood.
A black magic sword was embedded in the center of her chest.
"How... why didn't you block it...?"
The girl wore a confused expression despite having thrust the sword into the Demon King's chest.
"Didn't expect... to be so low on magic power... This can only be called... my defeat."
The Demon King's eyes gradually closed.
As her power faded, the lava covering the land slowly began to cool.
"No! That's impossible! You were the one who taught me swordsmanship! You were the master who taught me magic! You couldn't have miscalculated your magic power!"
"...Heh."
The Demon King smiled faintly.
"Then I must have become... obsolete."
The Demon King reached out to caress the girl's cheek.
"...Hav...nis..."
"What... do you have something to say...?"
"...Die..."
With those final words, the light faded from the Demon King's eyes.
Her head fell limply.
"Ahhhhh! The Demon King has fallen!"
"Lady Havnis is the continent's savior!"
The memory playback ended with those celebrating the end of the war.
"What do you think?"
The Demon God asked me.
"It was when I was still mortal, when the previous Demon King who raised me tried to kill me."
...Tried to kill you?
That's not right.
Watching the past scene, I could tell exactly how the previous Demon King felt about you.
"The Demon King inherits the power of previous Demon Kings, possessing all the abilities of their predecessors. The accumulated power of countless generations of previous Demon Kings was enough to cover the entire continent in lava. She was the strongest opponent I've ever faced."
In the memory, the lava behind the Demon King stretched to the horizon.
The ability to control that much lava.
Truly enough power to destroy the world and then some.
"However, the Demon King didn't fight me with her full strength."
The Demon God frowned.
"To think she dared to face me without using her full strength."
She seemed quite upset.
"And then her final words were 'die'."
Reading her thoughts flowing into me, I could understand why she wanted to manifest the previous Demon King in reality.
"Do you wish to fight the previous Demon King again?"
"Yes."
This arrogant Demon God wants to properly defeat the opponent she considers the only blemish in her life.
She can't accept the fact that her opponent held back even slightly in their victory.
"Resurrect the previous Demon King, Perlereino. I shall make her submit head-on and prove the perfection of my victory."
...Why are all these gods such flawed beings.
Is it that only twisted ones like this can become gods?
"Well. It's possible."
But thanks to that, I know exactly what kind of story I need to create.
"However, there are conditions needed for this."
"What are they?"
"Several conditions were needed even for the Ten Heroes and Saintess Kate to manifest in reality."
Having eavesdropped on Ren and the Magi-Engineer's conversation through the terminal, I could understand how the situation was unfolding.
Kate's resurrection wasn't too surprising since it was the Magi-Engineer's work, but the resurrection of all Ten Heroes was quite shocking.
Still, thanks to the Magi-Engineer's explanations, I barely understood. How that resurrection was achieved.
Overcoming and claiming as one's own the part that forms one's identity as their Constellation name changes.
That process had to happen for the resurrection of a loved one to occur.
This will be difficult to achieve in the Demon God's case.
It will likely be futile.
But that doesn't matter.
After all, my goal isn't to fulfill the Demon God's dream.
After hearing my conditions, the Demon God pondered.
"I don't mind other Players seeing stories about me and the Demon King... but you're saying I have to play the game myself?"
"Yes. Both the Magi-Engineer and the Sacrifice were able to resurrect the deceased because they played the game themselves."
"Nngh..."
The Demon God seemed displeased about having to play the game herself.
"As the King of All Demons, are you afraid you won't be good at the game?"
*Bang!*
"How could that be! I just... I just wondered if I really needed to do such bothersome things myself! How could I possibly feel fear!"
"Then that's fortunate."
I smiled slyly.
Reading the Demon God's thoughts, I felt I knew how to handle her.
Her thought patterns were dominated by excessive pride.
"First, I'll look at some of your memories. Then I'll need time to process them into episodes."
"How many days do you need?"
"Three days should be enough."
It's when the new version releases after all.
It would be perfect to release the new episode Act 2 along with the new content.
"Very well. I'll be watching."
*Woong-*
The Demon God tore through the fantasy world created by dreams and left.
"..."
Though left alone, I could feel her gaze still watching me.
Did she leave eyes on me in case I break my promise?
For someone so proud, she's quite fearful.
Well, it doesn't matter.
I'll keep my promise.
Initially, I planned to slightly distort the original history to trap her in the story.
But after seeing the Demon God's memories, that doesn't seem necessary.
'Just revealing the truth she doesn't know should be enough.'
I wonder how she'll react when she encounters the completed episode.
One thing's for certain - once she learns the truth and her mind breaks, she won't be able to escape this world on her own.
I can hardly contain my excitement.
How will I wait three days?
* * *
Bottom of the Dimensional Rift
Seven silhouettes rose up in darkness where not even an inch ahead could be seen.
[The second seed has perished.]
[Once might be chance, but twice cannot be coincidence.]
[Someone is interfering with our harvest.]
[That's impossible.]
[We thought so, but apparently not.]
[Who will go?]
[I will go.]
[No objections.]
[I too have no objections.]
[Then it is decided.]
[Meeting adjourned.]
Six of the seven silhouettes vanished, leaving one.
The small remaining silhouette soared high.
Though she was confident that any interference would be eliminated now that she had stepped forward,
She didn't know.
That she would come to be known as the Weekly Boss.