Chapter 100
The current atmosphere could not be adequately described as devastating.
Belphegor, Satan, and Leviathan stared blankly down at the Human Realm, their faces devoid of expression.
The first to react was Satan.
[Why?]
Amael has never once asked Asmodeus for help until now.
He hadn't learned how to handle her, nor had he ever directly conversed with her.
Moreover, having fallen victim to the Evil God's machinations, he was now likely trying to hate and erase Asmodeus from his soul.
But why?
Why, then, was Amael able to issue a command to Asmodeus?
That single action had completely shattered the Three Demon Lords' existing plans.
Now, Asmodeus will move to protect Kanya as well.
The moment they tried to forcibly take Kanya, it was obvious Asmodeus would descend again.
Lucifer. You couldn't stop her?
At Belphegor's words, Lucifer, who had been sitting quietly a step away, turned his gaze to Belphegor.
The number of wings I could move was too small.
How in the world?! Amael fears Asmodeus! How could he have given her a command? He wouldn't have even learned how to use her properly!
Lucifer did not reply.
A grinding sound came from his fist.
The Lord of Arrogance's pride had been cracked.
He had pulled on the chains with all his might, but Asmodeus had moved without heeding his words.
It couldn't have been intentional. If he could have moved intentionally, he would have summoned Asmodeus and asked questions first. The Saint wouldn't know what's going on right now.
Asmodeus has decided to protect Velia. If this goes wrong, one of the empty seats in the Pantheon will be filled!
Belphegor shouted.
She knew the value of her collection very well.
Velia was a formidable Deity.
Even after decades of torture, she had never broken.
During the Heavenly War.
Among the many Pantheon Deities who had fallen to the Mortal Realm during the Heavenly War, she was one who could make Pandemonium's existence incredibly difficult if she returned to the Pantheon.
Any other Deity might be fine.
But Velia, in particular, was problematic.
Lucifer listened to Belphegor's words and slowly leaned forward.
No. It might even be better.
[What do you mean?]
Asmodeus can no longer devour Velia. The moment Asmodeus devours Velia, that girl Kanya won't be able to live properly either. Her soul is too deeply connected to Velia. The moment Velia is destroyed, Kanya will also be ruined.
Even so, the odds are fifty-fifty. Even if all three of us attack, the chances of defeating Asmodeus aren't high.
At Leviathan's words, Lucifer shrugged.
What if the three of you prepare physical bodies and descend to the Human Realm to fight?
[You want *us* to descend?]
Leviathan wore an incredulous expression.
Don't you remember what happened to Mammon when he did that?
Unlike Mammon, there are three of you. If you fight in the Human Realm, Asmodeus will be severely restricted. She can never unleash power to the extent that it harms the Saint's Body. It is her only channel for power. You, on the other hand, are different.
Demon Kings are beings who can expend dozens of excellent Followers to create physical bodies if needed.
While Asmodeus's absolute power itself is strong, if she fights in the Human Realm, she can never unleash all of her true power.
Two of you should bind Asmodeus, who has descended, to the Saint's Body. While the Saint is bound, one of you can enter the Saint's soul and proceed with the corruption. It will be simple then.
It was a valid strategy.
And in fact, it was a strategy that could have been used even before Asmodeus decided to protect Velia.
Whether Asmodeus devoured Velia or not, Asmodeus would never be able to exert all of her true abilities to fight the moment she manifested in the Human Realm.
However, there was a reason why the Demon Kings were reluctant to use the method of descent.
That's a good point. But conversely, descending means becoming easier to devour than anyone else.
Unlike in the Spirit Realm, once you pass through a single physical body, your true form is immediately exposed. That's why Mammon was devoured. Don't you know?
In the Spirit Realm, one can flee.
One can hide, and there are ways to mitigate unfavorable situations.
But if one is manifested in the Human Realm, it's a different story.
There's nowhere to escape from a cramped physical body.
One would have to forcibly extract one's Deity from the body and return to the Spirit Realm, and one would be completely defenseless during that process.
The risk of complete annihilation through descent was too great.
But
Then by what means will you corrupt the Saint?
At Lucifer's single question, the Three Demon Lords fell silent.
Attacking the Saint after separating Kanya?
That became impossible now that Asmodeus was protecting Kanya too.
The fight in the Spirit Realm still had even odds.
There were limits to the commands Lucifer could issue through Asmodeus's Left Wing.
No matter what command was given, it couldn't take precedence over preventing the destruction of the source itself.
Only a being capable of controlling all of Asmodeus's wings could issue a command that would take precedence over that.
Conclusion.
There was no way to corrupt the Saint other than to descend directly.
If the three of us descend, the Pantheon's Followers won't stand idly by. Those who would notice would have already noticed!
[If something were to happen to us while descending, our Followers would instantly lose their power!]
[Our Followers could be *Slaughtered* en masse! The risk is too great!]
The Three Demon Lords expressed their anxiety and refusal, but Lucifer showed his wrath towards them.
For 300 years, I alone have held back the Heavenly Realm!! For 300 years! If Velia ascends without issue like this, and that Saint continues to do good deeds for the Pantheon, the balance might collapse at some point! You know what happens if the balance collapses, don't you? Now is the time to take risks.
Even with Lucifer's scolding, the Three Demon Lords couldn't readily step forward.
Descending to the Human Realm was already fraught with danger.
The moment their Deity entered a physical body, there was no guarantee they wouldn't end up like Velia.
Lucifer wanted to knock some sense into the Three Demon Lords for their hesitation, but two of the seven thrones were already empty.
He couldn't afford to create any more empty seats.
I will watch over you. If the situation seems to worsen, I will stake my name and pull you out. So trust me and descend. If we cannot turn the Saint to our side, Pandemonium has no future. Will you just sit quietly and watch Velia ascend? Will you merely watch as the balance slowly tips towards the Pantheon?
When Lucifer spoke to that extent, the Three Demon Lords had no choice but to nod, as if resigned.
It will take time to prepare physical bodies.
At least three days are needed, Lucifer.
At those words, Lucifer nodded.
I will control Asmodeus to prevent the Saint from using Time Stop and Body Modification. I will stop him from reaching Talahaim's Rocky Mountain within three days. After that, it's up to you.
It was a declaration to block the entire Pantheon while also controlling Asmodeus.
It was an impossible task for anyone but Lucifer.
The Three Demon Lords nodded.
There was no turning back now.
***
“So, you've withheld wages?”
“No, it's not that I withheld them... it's just that everyone around here pays like that.”
“You have committed an illegal act according to labor law. Pay this man the fair wages he has earned. We will investigate the specific amount and notify you later.”
“No!! What kind of law is this?!”
The Investigators from the Ministry of Labor did not wield physical power.
They had abandoned physical force and violence.
This was partly to guard against the corruption of Labor Advocates, as warned by the Saint, but also because there was no need for them to wield guns, swords, or bombs themselves.
“Factory owner. Are you admitting to withholding wages?”
A Paladin from the White Order stepped forward.
“Is this a ploy to create unfortunate individuals and increase the number of Demon Followers? Do not forget that you can be judged as a heretic under the *Codex Prorilium*.”
“N-no! No! I-I'm not a heretic! I'm not! If you're going to accuse me of that just for paying a little less salary!...”
“You haven't forgotten the incident at the Scrap Yard, have you? Mammon's Followers were swarming there. Demons feed on resentment. If humanity is ruined because of your greed, that will be your responsibility. Guarantee the Minimum Wage stipulated in labor law.”
Under the White Order's pressure, the factory owner lowered his head, as if he had nothing more to say.
...I will pay the requested wages according to the investigation results.
“Good.”
The Investigator and the Paladin withdrew from the factory.
The atmosphere between the two as they got into the car and headed back to their lodging was very pleasant.
“You must be tired from following me around. It's getting late; would you like a beer?”
“Don't misunderstand, Labor Advocate. I am merely following you to guard against your corruption, as warned by the Saint. I do not drink alcohol while on duty.”
“Our mission here is already complete. It's just one beer; don't be so rigid. You'll have to see my face for a long time to come, you know.”
At the Investigator's smooth words, the Paladin let out a small laugh.
“As long as you uphold compassion for the weak, I have no reason to be hostile towards you. Well... one drink might be acceptable.”
“I'll buy, though I'm not sure if there's a decent place in this backwater town.”
The Labor Advocate, holding the steering wheel, let out a small laugh.
The Paladin also smiled lightly.
However, the warm atmosphere persisted.
They suddenly froze as a man leaped in front of their car.
“Are you crazy?! Jumping in front of a car!...”
As soon as the Investigator angrily rolled down the window and stuck his head out, the man who had blocked the car rushed over, panting, and shouted.
“They're Demon Followers! Investigator!!”
At the mention of Demon Followers, the Investigator's face showed surprise for a moment before he quickly pointed to the back door.
“Get in. You know the location, right?”
“Of course!”
The three traveled for a long time in the car.
This was a remote village, but many people engaged in ranching on the vast grassland.
The man, who introduced himself as being from a long line of shepherds, quickly continued his explanation, almost out of breath.
“I went out to herd my goats and sheep as usual, but my dog wouldn't herd the sheep. He'd never done that before, so I went to where he was, and guess what!... There were weapons scattered on the ground and the smell of blood, weren't there? My dog hadn't come because, after smelling the blood, he was barking.”
“Weapons?”
“Guns and knives... There were also armor and staffs like those wielded by Mages. There were no bodies, just all those pieces of equipment scattered about. But each of those items had strange markings carved into them, and when I looked closely... they were the markings of Demon Followers.”
“Are you certain?”
“Oh my! Everyone in this town is like this, but I'm also a devotee who believes in the Pantheon's Gods. I've been taught about demonic symbols since I was a child, so I know them. You were the closest, so I rushed here. It's over there!! Over there!”
At the man's words, the Labor Advocate quickly stopped the car.
The Paladin of the White Order swiftly approached the weapons scattered all over the ground, as if flying.
After calmly examining the smell and form of the armaments, he quickly returned to the car.
“Can you get a direct line to the Ministry of Labor?”
“A direct line? A-are they really Demon Followers?”
“They're not just Followers. They're core members of the Demon Cult! We need to hurry! This is no ordinary matter!”
The Investigator quickly pulled out an emergency Magic Communication device from his pocket.
The report was immediately relayed to the Ministry of Labor.
The Pantheon and the Magic Tower.
And it took less than ten minutes for the Imperial Family to be informed of this fact.