Chapter 59 — Trying to Believe

1

Demon.

Above them are the Demonium who rule over them.

While “demon” and “devil” mean the same thing in definition, in this world their meanings differ.

Unlike demons, about which nothing was known except their connection to the God of Death, devils had quite detailed lore.

‘They were residents of the demon realm, weren’t they?’

A common setting, like clichés in any fantasy novel.

Devils are one of the races living in a world divided into the demon realm, middle realm, and holy realm.

The 72 devil families that the supreme king Solomon once commanded as his subordinates long ago.

After completing his weighty task, King Solomon created a land where the 72 families could live.

That place has now become what is called the demon realm.

Though trite, it was a setting that piqued the interest of those encountering it for the first time.

“We’re almost done.”

“Something seems to be happening inside. Such a complex magical barrier…”

“Um— Lady Invidea.”

The knight corps squad leader spoke cautiously.

Invidea, who had been watching the situation with her arms crossed, turned her head to look at the questioner.

He was a squad leader known for being very cautious despite his excellent skills.

He had been told many times that to rise higher, he needed to cultivate boldness.

Looking uneasy, he opened his mouth with trembling eyes.

“Don’t you think we should call for reinforcements?”

“Hmm-.”

Invidea’s gaze asked him to elaborate.

What did this young, intelligent, and cautious squad leader want to say?

She knew his caution didn’t simply stem from a timid personality.

“They’ve occupied such a large ruin but haven’t posted a single guard. From my own investigation, the Order has been growing in strength in the northern regions.”

“And?”

“I think it’s dangerous. If by any chance they’re buying time with all their might…”

His thinking was reasonable.

Conveying opinions with precise reasons is never a bad thing.

But whether to accept it or not is entirely the commander’s discretion.

Invidea was about to politely refuse without hurting the squad leader’s feelings.

Until Manus opened his mouth.

“If they’ve defended so thoroughly, we should break through even faster.”

“What?”

“Do reinforcements come by teleportation magic? It would take half a day just to walk here.”

“…”

The squad leader closed his mouth.

It’s not that his opinion was bad.

Manus knew the truth, so he could judge right and wrong accurately.

Being cautious is good, but hesitating when there’s a more certain and accurate path is foolish.

“Avon.”

“Yes, young master.”

“How long until the barrier is removed?”

“It should take about 8 minutes and 32 seconds, but…”

Manus nodded.

This should be enough.

He could hold out alone for 8 minutes.

He doesn’t know what’s happening inside.

But his hypothesis is probably correct.

He already knew all the rules of events in this world, which was no different from an ideal for someone who had played this game countless times.

As he moved his steps without hesitation, Invidea’s sharp voice was heard.

“So, what are you thinking? Brother?”

“I’ll go ahead and stop the ritual. Make sure to come rescue me.”

With a faint smile, Manus headed down the stairs.

While those engrossed in their work were saying “Huh?”, Manus’s body had already entered the barrier.

“You-!”

It was also the moment Invidea’s composure completely crumbled.

Bang-!

Even though she struck the barrier hard, the magical veil blocking between them didn’t budge at all.

Her unladylike behavior didn’t matter.

“How can you enter?!”

“I don’t know either. I just lightly touched it and it worked.”

“That doesn’t make sense!”

There were no words he could give to the angry Invidea.

He could only shrug his shoulders and speak calmly.

Swoosh-.

His outstretched hand passed through the barrier and touched Invidea’s shoulder.

“Just come quickly.”

“Manus! Stop! Hey-!”

Turning around, Manus went down waving his hand.

Invidea, forgetting her dignity, kept shouting to try to stop him.

Her brother disappeared into the darkness like some sacrificial lamb.

“That jerk, always trying to act cool-!”

“My lady, please calm down first.”

“…”

Her pupils shrank and her face turned bright red.

Isn’t she Lady Invidea, known for her usual cool and intellectual image?

That image is something she herself had cultivated over a long period.

“Ahem-! Hu-hurry and remove it. We need to go rescue that stupid brother.”

“Haha, understood.”

Avon nodded with a smile that deepened his wrinkles.

He should keep today’s events to himself for life.

If he doesn’t want to face that lady’s cold glare for the rest of his life.

The work continued, and anxiety grew.

The second young master had entered the jaws of death.

Moreover, he had said “Make sure to come rescue me.”

It’s not strange that their heads were busy turning.

“Huff-.”

A faint breath was heard.

The young lady detected the sound and quickly turned her head.

There, a woman in black clothing was kneeling and panting.

It was someone they knew.

She raised her hand to stop everyone from raising their guard upon discovering her.

Her eyes tightly shut.

Her mana fluctuating unstably.

“Aden, was it? What’s the matter?”

“I couldn’t… enter.”

She spoke as if chewing each word, seemingly frustrated.

She’s a master.

A master at a level similar to archmages who look beyond 5th Class to 6th Class.

Yet such a person could do nothing.

“I said I would protect him-.”

“Calm yourself.”

“…I’ve shown an unsightly display. I apologize, my lady.”

“I’m envious of my brother for gaining your loyalty. Why did that barrier only let my brother in…”

Invidea’s sigh deepened.

The black assassin, Aden, stood up.

Though her expression was hidden behind a mask, the anguish and anger at being separated from her lord were visible in her eyes.

Looking into Aden’s eyes, Invidea was overwhelmed by two thoughts.

Envy.

Envy at gaining such a loyal subordinate.

And one more thing-.

2

Darkness.

A color he hated intensely, yet somehow felt familiar.

Manus made his way through a place as dark and deep as a monster’s maw.

A spiral staircase twisted like a coiled snake.

At its end, a faint purple light was leaking out.

In this world’s lore, purple implies ominousness and wickedness.

‘The Dire Order. The devil that appeared around here… I don’t have knowledge about it either.’

Getting involved with the Dire Order originally happens after the traveler begins his full-fledged activities.

Because it’s a completely original story, Manus must navigate solely with his own judgment and capabilities.

But why?

The excitement about what the reward might be was greater than fear.

[כֹּה-מָצָא]

It was an unknown language.

What was clear was that the ritual was nearly complete.

Manus quickened his pace and entered the space that unfolded from the end of the stairs.

A fishy smell stung his nose.

The material for the messily scattered magic circle was blood.

Human blood, at that.

“Why do these guys always do the same thing?”

The game company is the game company.

Don’t they have anything fresh?

He was getting tired of always seeing such disgusting things.

But he also knew that sometimes familiarity is what stimulates human senses.

This grotesqueness.

The familiar texture and scenery of corpses.

In reality, Manus was feeling disgust from it.

“Hmm-? A guest has come indeed. Ah, you are-.”

“You.”

Manus turned his head at the familiar voice.

And smiled a twisted smile.

It was the smile of a beast towards those who dared invade its lair.

A familiar silhouette spreading both arms like a cult leader.

He wondered where he had gone, but didn’t expect him to be hiding in a place like this.

“I’m truly happy to see you again.”

Manus quietly watched his mouth before opening his own.

At the same time, the other’s mouth opened too.

It wasn’t a miracle or coincidence that both people uttered the same words.

“Because I can kill you here.”

“Because I can kill you here.”

Those words brought elation to Manus and bewilderment to the man.

Manus lit mana in his hand with a deep smile.

Crackle-.

People carry bad memories longer than one might think.

“Why-, are you flustered? Traveler. No.”

“…”

Grooooowl-.

The entire space began to tremble.

Yes, Manus already knew.

That the ritual had ended with that strange language he heard at the end.

He needed an outlet for his anger.

Moreover, he intended to firmly imprint fear of the Caesars.

I am above you.

“Platus Gospel. Truly an abominable name.”

“Uh, uhhhhh-.”

“If you entered a lion’s den, you must have expected to be eaten.”

Crackle-!

Pure white lightning flew towards the traveler, Platus Gospel.

The lightning deflected off a transparent barrier.

It was an overreaction to a simple spell.

The traveler deployed a 3rd Class defensive spell, far beyond his level.

Manus spoke with a smirk.

“I’ll mercifully give you one last chance. You still have use.”

“Ha… haha!”

Platus laughed with anger.

The sight of his twisted mouth and strained eyes tickled Manus’s heart.

Had teasing someone always been this fun?

His mouth curved up involuntarily, as if discovering a new side of himself he didn’t know.

Rumble-.

As the ruins shook, bewilderment spread across the traveler’s face.

‘This guy must die by Kael’s hand.’

Though he wanted to kill him now, he was necessary for his companions’ growth.

Since he was still an unripe sacrifice, Manus decided to let him go.

“Or I’ll kill you here.”

Crackle-!

Lightning of a different caliber from the greeting spell he had cast earlier.

Platus gritted his teeth and tore open space.

His specialty, transfer magic.

“We’ll meet again. You’ll regret letting me go now. Hehe-.”

Manus had already turned his gaze away from him.

What he looked at was the magic circle spread behind Platus.

He began analyzing the transfer magic circle that moves one to another place at once.

‘Is that an innate ability.’

Like someone’s passive, it seems to be an ability that can’t be acquired as knowledge.

If he learns it when he has time, he could use it over and over.

There’s no need to only learn offensive skills.

“And…”

Crash-!

The altar collapsed.

The ritual was complete, and all impure things there disappeared.

The blood-soaked place was clean as if someone had cleaned it.

“It’s here.”

[Grooooooaaaaar-!]

A giant bird’s face.

A body much larger than an ogre’s.

Black mana engulfed the surroundings.

‘Is it Orias.’

A being more powerful than most demons in the Tower revealed itself.

Manus took out oil and holy water from his chest.

He was confident.

No being could stop a Caesar.

–TL Notes–
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