Chapter 103
Belphegor had corrupted countless people.
Thus, she knew how to exploit people's weaknesses.
And in her eyes, the Saint's greatest weakness was his soft-hearted mental state.
He was never psychologically prepared to bear such immense burdens as being a Saint or the Demon King of Lust.
He was crushed by these immense burdens, suffering, and what's more, he hadn't even chosen to carry them.
In Belphegor's view, he was simply a man who would be perfectly content living with a few women he loved and a decent job.
Therefore, Belphegor decided on the following three strategies to persuade the Saint.
1. Persuade the Saint that he could immediately lay down the burdens he carried.
2. Incite his anger towards the Pantheon to build common ground.
3. Convince him that if he only joined them, he wouldn't have to face the fear of death or fall into Hell.
And in this persuasion process, Kanya and Velia were completely excluded.
The Saint and Kanya had only known each other for a few days at most.
In fact, considering the time that had passed in the outside world, the two had only known each other for about four days at most.
In contrast, the Saint's suffering had been ongoing for at least a year.
He had personally heard a prophecy, almost a Curse, from the Evil God that he would fall into Hell, and he had been tormented and swayed by the title of Saint, which he had never once desired.
Therefore, Belphegor had never imagined that the Saint would reject her offer for the sake of Kanya, of all people.
Logically, no matter how much she thought about it, the Saint didn't seem *that* foolish.
What Belphegor overlooked was:
“*I hate the Pantheon. That’s true. But that doesn’t mean I want all of them gone... I don’t think so. They probably have their roles too. And I don’t want Kanya to be broken.*”
...the unfortunate fact that the being before her was quite foolish.
No.
More precisely, it was that his compassion for the weak was so strong it made him seem foolish.
Belphegor was momentarily speechless at the Saint's words.
“[The Pantheon said they would send you to Hell. This is your chance to defeat them. Are you really going to throw that away?]”
She tried to remind him of his anger towards the Pantheon, but his answer remained the same.
“*From their perspective, that was probably the best option. And I don’t want the Demon King of Lust to awaken in my soul either. I may hate them, but I believe they were just doing their part.*”
“[Don’t you want to lay down the burdensome weight placed upon you?]”
Belphegor tried to persuade him by appealing to his burdens.
But,
“*That’s right. And that’s precisely why I can’t join you.*”
Finally, Belphegor decided to appeal to the Saint's desires.
“[This is your chance to live happily with the women you love. Why do you always assume the worst? If you side with Hell, you can control everything as you wish. Why are you refusing this simple, easy path, Amael? If you reject me now, you will continue to bear misfortune and suffering. Nothing will ever go your way, just like now.]”
Belphegor looked up at Amael, her voice desperate, as if pleading.
“[Take my hand, Jericho Amael. All your worries, your anxieties, the countless sufferings you bear as a human, the many trials that came to you by wielding excessive God's Authority—they will all vanish. Think of the three women you love. Imagine a peaceful daily life with them. Isn’t that your wish?]”
Belphegor desperately wished Amael would take her hand.
If he only took it, everything would become simple.
Asmodeus would once again return to Pandemonium's side.
The weak Pantheon and the worms of the Abyss would clearly be unable to defy Hell.
That sweet future was just within reach.
If Amael only took her hand.
Everything would be achieved.
“*I can’t.*”
But Amael refused once more.
Belphegor felt so frustrated she could scream.
If it weren't for Asmodeus, she would have long since used her God's Authority for Mind Control or Brainwashing.
Trying to persuade him with mere words was driving her mad.
“[Why, for heaven’s sake? Why are you making such a foolish choice? Why are you deliberately seeking out the difficult path?]”
A question, like a hollow laugh, escaped Belphegor’s lips, born of anger, bewilderment, and absurdity.
And Amael’s subsequent answer bewildered Belphegor even further.
“*If Kanya remains unhappy, what good is it if I’m happy alone? My conscience wouldn’t allow it. I don’t want to achieve happiness by stepping on someone else’s misfortune.*”
Belphegor stared at Amael for a moment.
Then she extended her hand even further.
Her expression now held a stubborn resolve.
“[Fine. Then I will make an exception for Kanya and Velia within her soul. I will not kill them. Will you take my hand then?]”
“*Sorry, but I don’t trust you. Your sweet talk... the Pantheon’s threats of Hell sound more righteous to me. That’s why I’m still here.*”
“[Amael. Why, for heaven’s sake... Don’t be so frustrating. There’s an easy, simple path right here, isn’t there? The Pantheon are no different from us, you know? They are merely beings who act for their own selfishness.]”
“*Even if that’s true, nothing changes. I’ve met both the Pantheon’s Followers and your Followers. And I’ve concluded that the Pantheon’s Followers are far better. They have many problems too... but at least they have the will to do what’s right. They’re different from your Followers.*”
Slowly, anger seeped into Amael’s eyes.
“*Your Followers tortured an innocent family, killed the parents in front of their baby, and forcibly shoved Velia’s Deity into that baby’s body. For over a decade since then, they’ve tormented the child, never allowing her a moment of happiness, all to tame Velia. That’s why I can’t trust you.*”
“[Do you think the Pantheon hasn’t done things like us? Shall I tell you what the God of Darkness and Secrets, Re-Neri, did?]”
“*It doesn’t matter what you say. I hate the Pantheon. But I don’t want all of them to die. I don’t want their Followers to despair. That’s why I won’t join you. You did something unforgivable to Kanya.*”
Finally, Belphegor’s frustration exploded.
“[She’s just a child!! Amael!! You’re not prioritizing correctly!! Your life is on the line!! Why aren’t you making a better choice for yourself?! All for the sake of a child you’ve only known for less than four days!!]”
“*Because it’s right.*”
“[...Right?]”
“*Yes, because it’s right.*”
Belphegor faltered, stepping back.
She laughed.
She laughed out of bewilderment and rage.
“[You really are... *stupid*. Stupid beyond imagination.]”
Amael laughed at her words.
“*I know. But what can I do? This is how I was born.*”
Belphegor turned her back. She returned to her position.
“[We’ll have to proceed as planned. That guy— He’s more foolish than any Saint or Saintess I’ve ever dealt with.]”
“[We just wasted time!! Belphegor!!]”
Satan roared in Wrath.
Belphegor rubbed the back of her neck, as if exasperated.
“[So. Begin. Now.]”
At her words, Leviathan strode forward.
The rocks around her feet began to vibrate at a terrifying speed.
The Saint trembled, stumbling backward.
Leviathan burst into laughter at the sight.
“[Come out now, Asmodeus. Descend into the Human Realm. Otherwise, your precious, precious Amael will die.]”
Leviathan chuckled, lightly waving her hand.
With that single, light motion, a sharp scar was left on the ground.
Something sharp, as if a giant blade had grazed it, tore roughly across the ground, leaving its mark as it flew towards Amael.
And just as Amael’s body seemed about to be split in two.
An intense light erupted from Amael’s body.
And the energy Leviathan had unleashed was repelled as if by flowing water.
At the sight, Leviathan burst into roaring laughter, clapping her hands.
“[Long time no see, Asmodeus!!]”
Slowly.
Behind Amael, a colossal figure made of light began to materialize.
***
*I didn’t faint.*
*No.*
*In fact, not fainting was an even bigger problem.*
*There was a reason Deities were called Deities.*
*Ignoring the little girl’s persuasion was fine, but the next moment was not.*
*As the Three Demon Lords’ attitudes suddenly changed and they began attacking me, I couldn’t keep my wits about me.*
*A single word.*
*A single will was a weapon in itself.*
*Every time I heard a voice, it felt like my soul was being torn apart.*
*In that moment, when simply staying conscious was difficult.*
*The anorexic Woman hurled something at me, and soon, something highly ominous yet invisible tore a sharp wound into the ground as it flew towards me.*
*Instinctively, I realized I couldn’t dodge or block it.*
*I could do nothing.*
*Just as I reflexively raised my arm.*
*The ominous something flying towards me was repelled and vanished.*
*Once again, instinctively.*
*I could feel something incredibly massive manifesting behind my back.*
*Due to the blinding light, I squinted and slowly turned my head back.*
*Colossal.*
*Indescribable.*
*Something heavy and magnificent, transcending mere size, stood behind me.*
*What my eyes witnessed in the brilliant light was...*
“*...*Gigachad*?”*
*It was a man with a chiseled face and immense muscles.*
*As I dazedly called out that name, *Gigachad* looked down at me.*
“[Long time no see, *Seongppitppi*.]”
*No sooner had that reply reached my ears than the anorexic Woman’s sharp laughter rang out.*
“[Long time no see! Asmodeus!!]”
*At those words, I became even more confused.*
*Gigachad* was Asmodeus??
*The being who often comforted me in my dreams and gently embraced me was Asmodeus??*
*No, this doesn’t feel right.*
*Why would the Demon King of Lust comfort me?*
*There’s no reason for that at all, is there?*
*I was reeling in confusion.*
*The ground began to rumble as if an earthquake had struck.*
*At the same time, *Gigachad* groaned as if in pain.*
*Slowly, the muscular man’s form I was familiar with began to break apart, and eight pairs of wings started erupting from *Gigachad’s* back.*
“[*Seongppitppi*!... I took on a form you’d be most familiar with because I didn’t want to startle you. But those bastards are too difficult to stop without revealing my true form.]”
*The bearded man’s form vanished.*
*And in its place...*
“*Goddess Lilia?!*”
*A being with a face identical to the sacred Goddess Lilia I always saw in the Mage Tower Temple, with eight pairs of wings on its back, was looking at me.*
*My confusion deepened even further.*
*No, wait a minute.*
*Hold on.*
*It was already shocking enough that the *Gigachad* in my mind was a Woman, but why was Asmodeus taking the form of the Goddess of Grace...?*
*What in the world is going on?*
*What is this?*
*What the hell is it?*
“[Damn it! Lucifer!!...]”
*As I heard a chilling clanking sound of metal, *Gigachad*... Asmodeus?... I’m losing my mind.*
*Asmodeus, bearing the face of the Goddess of Grace, had her Left Wing trembling violently.*
*At the same time, the anorexic woman and the hulking muscular man began charging at me with terrifying speed.*
“[Proceed as planned. Belphegor! You handle the corruption!]”
“[We will subdue Asmodeus. Do not fail, Sloth.]”
*As the two approached, Talahaim's Rocky Mountain began to roar as if a storm had descended.*
*Rocks, pushed by overwhelming force, rolled, split, and burst apart.*
“[*Seong*... *ppitppi*...]”
*The anorexic woman and the muscular man seized Asmodeus’s arms.*
*In the scene where immense powers clashed, I was powerless.*
*I felt as if my soul would shatter and explode from the invisible, immense pressure.*
*Just as I was barely able to breathe, I was forced to watch Asmodeus and the two Deities locked in a fierce struggle.*
“[Amael. See? It would have been better if you’d taken my hand when I asked nicely. You just had to make things this long and complicated, didn’t you?]”
*The little girl reached me with light steps, stopping right in front of my nose.*
“[Don’t worry. It’ll be quick. My Brainwashing is gentle and clean, you see. You’ll probably even forget who you were. Too bad. If you had taken my hand just now... you could have kept your ego.]”
*A jet-black aura gathered in the Child’s hand.*
*Slowly.*
*The hand began to approach me.*
“[*Seongppit*!!... Amael!!]”
*Asmodeus’s desperate scream reached my ears.*
“[To me!!... A command!!...]”
*Still.*
*Nothing made sense.*
*Why did the Demon King of Lust have the same face as the Goddess Lilia Statue?*
*Why were two of the Demon Kings holding back the Demon King of Lust?*
*Weren’t Asmodeus and the other Demon Kings on the same side?*
*And Brainwashing?!*
*Does that mean she’ll make me like Kanya?*
*I don’t want that.*
*Why brainwash me when you could just shatter my soul?*
*I had many questions, but no time to ponder them.*
“[Farewell.]”
*The Child’s black-tinged hand flew towards my head.*
*And almost simultaneously.*
*Brilliant White Chains appeared in my right hand.*
***
<F1>[Skill: Time Stop available.]</F1>
<F1>[Skill: Body Modification available.]</F1>
<F1>[All skills max level achieved.]</F1>
<F1>[All mental and physical restrictions on skill use have been lifted.]</F1>
*The Child’s hand stopped right before my eyes.*
*It was the result of locally applying Time Stop to the Child’s hand.*
“[...You!! The Chains!!...]”
*Towards the horrified Child, I swung my fist.*
*Even I thought I had overdone the Body Modification, but my body endured the changes perfectly fine.*
*As an explosion erupted from a punch that surpassed the speed of sound, the child’s body was sent flying from me, crashing far away into the ground.*
*I looked down at my hand.*
*The Brilliant White Chains were tightly wrapped around my hand.*
“[Amael. Finally!!...]”
*Asmodeus’s laughing voice came from behind me.*
“[Command me!]”
*I wrapped the Chains around my hand like knuckles and gave my command.*
“*I don’t know what’s going on, but for now, this is a Temporary Alliance. Asmodeus, I need the power to beat these bastards.*”
*Asmodeus carried out my command in a very simple and decisive manner.*
*A colossal beam of light plunged from the sky to the floor.*
*It was the pillar of light I had only heard about, but I was unable to see it because I had fainted.*
*The one called the Miracle of the Scrap Yard.*