Otherworld Conquest Chronicle (5)
After the battle ended, a vast plain lay devastated, littered with traces of destruction.
The mountains of corpses and seas of blood piled here and there were, quite literally, the very scenery of the end times.
Clatter— clatter—
[For the Eternal King of Death...]
[Grrrk—! Grrk!]
No, considering that corpses—which normally shouldn't move—were rampaging through the carnage as they pleased, calling it simply the end times was an insufficient expression.
It was a sight like hell, which one had only heard of in stories, manifesting in reality.
A spectacle that would drive any living being into terror was unfolding brazenly before their eyes.
'Though the ironic thing is that I'm actually on their side.'
McCarthy, who had been quietly overlooking that scene from a high watchtower that was still intact amidst the collapsed walls here and there, let out a bitter smile.
From this vantage point where his surroundings were visible at a glance, and with the 'Eye of the Dead' aiding his view of the battlefield, he couldn't help but feel such fresh sentiments even more strongly.
'...Could it be that I invited an unnecessary disaster?'
The war for hegemony over this world was, for all intents and purposes, already over.
With even the Great Demons all having fallen, how could a few lesser demons remain a problem?
It was obvious that such small fry would all be eliminated the moment those countless legions of death spread throughout the world.
And the future of humanity, which had been struggling to survive under the demons' dominion, would inevitably be influenced by this as well.
'I never imagined in my wildest dreams that things would turn out like this. Who knew it would come to this?'
To be honest, it would be right to say he had been half-convinced until the very last moment.
That no matter what means they employed, they could never defeat the opponent.
And that was only natural, for the Great Demons—and among them, the name 'Infinite Archdemon'—were symbols of absolute inviolability in this world.
He hadn't stormed Grand Castle Lord Lapua merely taking advantage of the Great Demon's absence for nothing.
Even if they lost the war, it had been a desperate struggle to somehow achieve revenge, to go down together with his enemy if need be.
'...Looking back on it now, it was just a foolish act, though.'
All of this was thanks to the Immortal Emperor from another world, 'Hannibal Strauss.'
An invader from another world who had appeared commanding the Army of Death and swept away the demons ruling the continent in an instant.
For McCarthy, who thought himself the one to have summoned such a being, it was inevitable that he felt uncomfortable in many ways.
'In the past, I thought that once my revenge was done, I wouldn't care what happened to this world.'
Is this what they mean by having different thoughts when entering the bathroom and coming out?
Now that he had accomplished everything he wanted, he had begun to worry about the aftermath.
That this world he had shared with her would become a worse hell than before.
That the peaceful world she had so longed for—a world that should overflow with the smiles of children he had tried so hard to protect—would be stained by death.
Of course, having already devoted everything and become a slave, there was nothing left he could do.
'I have no choice but to leave the rest to the heavens. Though I don't know how much I should trust a heaven that already ruined the world once.'
...Or so he had thought.
Until, not long after, he heard the words personally spoken by the 'Master' who had summoned him.
"Huh? Me?"
McCarthy's eyes went wide as he opened his mouth blankly.
The words coming from the other party were that unexpected.
[Hm, why are you so surprised? You are the contractor who summoned this body to this world, are you not? If you think about it, it is only natural.]
A grand hall filled with an eerie atmosphere.
At the end of the Absolute Being's cold gaze, looking down from the throne atop the high stairs.
With undead executives radiating murderous intent standing at attention on both sides, McCarthy—who had come to have an audience with the king and was now prostrated, staring only at the floor—swallowed dryly.
Beads of sweat formed on his forehead and fell drop by drop.
'...Th-that's true, but. Still, that's...'
It had been only moments ago that he arrived at this Demon King Castle—this black palace that had suddenly appeared atop a renowned mountain, at a place no one knew when it had sprung up.
Yet the bewilderment he felt now was incomparable to when he first faced this castle with its incomparably vicious exterior.
"I... I'm just an ignorant wretch who knows nothing but wandering around. For someone like me to be the Governor who rules this world in the King's stead?"
Normally he would have just nodded along saying 'yes, yes,' but this time he couldn't bring himself to do so.
If he accepted a position ill-suited to his station and an accident beyond his capabilities occurred, how would he handle it?
Moreover, this was a transitional period where the very foundations of the world had been completely overturned.
Knowing his own place well, he had no confidence in leading the way through the numerous confusions to come.
[McCarthy.]
"Yes, Lord of Death."
[It is an order.]
"...I shall gladly obey the command."
But he had no choice in the face of the decree that followed.
Since the order had been given, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and try somehow.
[There is no need to worry so much. I shall leave those who will assist you and handle practical matters. All you must do is maintain balance as the representative of humanity in this world.]
Naturally, Hans knew exactly what he was thinking.
He had never intended to dump everything on him in the first place.
He was merely concerned that undead with abnormal ways of thinking might run rampant and destroy the world he had finally obtained, so he wanted to prepare at least a minimum safety measure.
'I can't afford to pay attention to this world forever.'
He already had much to do.
He had gained various achievements by beating the demons of Devour in succession, and had extracted considerable information through the Infinite Archdemon.
Having thoroughly swept through once and already reaping ample karma, he had no more business in this world.
'I'll leave the rest to McCarthy. Anyway, his soul is collateral, bound to me.'
All actions he took in this world would return as karmic merit for him.
That was the nature of the contract with Hans from the beginning.
In other words, in this Devour, he was nothing less than Hans's Apostle.
[Kekekek— indeed, now that I think about it, you are nominally a Governor, yet you seem somewhat lacking now. It would be good to raise your power a bit while we're at it.]
"Th-that's fine, Your Majesty. In this world where the demons have been annihilated, who would dare oppose the actions of the Undying Army? There is no need for Your Majesty to trouble yourself!"
Perhaps recalling the pain of having his eyes and arm transplanted, McCarthy hurriedly spoke with a blue-pale face.
Had it been when he was blinded by revenge, it might have been different, but enduring further pain now that everything was over was not at all to his liking.
However, it was not enough to change Hans's mind, already set on his decision.
[No, that won't do. Authority must come from overwhelming power. I cannot tolerate the one ruling this world in my stead being looked down upon for lack of strength.]
Since it was not mere black magic, but the power of the 'Dead' itself that he had bestowed, wielding it with a human body inevitably entailed immense pain.
It would have been simple to turn him into an undead, but he could not treat one who had sworn loyalty to him in such a manner.
Fortunately for McCarthy, Hans had just acquired an ability that would be of great help in this situation.
[Do not worry. I have newly acquired a power this time. If I use it, the physical pain will not be as great as before.]
"Ah, ah... To think you would care so much, it is truly an honor!"
McCarthy forced his expression under control and prostrated himself on the floor once more.
Having heard the monarch speak so, he could no longer bring himself to say anything.
No, in truth, he was in a rather precarious state even now.
'Ugh, it feels like holes are being bored all over my body...'
The executives of the Undying Army standing silently on both sides of the hall were glaring at him fiercely with eyes wide as ghosts.
They merely dared not interrupt because the King was personally speaking with him.
Otherwise, the atmosphere suggested he would have already suffered all manner of horrors.
[Kekekek, there is no need to delay matters and waste time.]
That is why he missed the chance to ask what that 'new power' was, simply nodding unconditionally from then on.
He also missed the fact that, since this was an ability Hans was using for the first time, this demonstration also served as a sort of test.
Even if he had no choice, had he known beforehand, he could have at least prepared himself mentally.
Thus, after about a day had passed.
[Hoo? At this level, the progress isn't too bad.]
"...Th-thank... you..."
[Hm, unfortunately, you haven't crossed the wall of transcendence... but with that level, you won't be ignored anywhere. Strive harder from now on.]
Hans nodded in satisfaction, having successfully completed the experiment thanks to McCarthy volunteering willingly.
And as a reward, he bestowed additional favor upon McCarthy.
He promised to return someday later to perform an additional procedure so that he could completely cross the wall.
"Ah, aah..."
McCarthy, whose body was trembling faintly, expressed his gratitude in an awkward manner of speech from not conversing with others for a long time, while inwardly vowing firmly:
That he would somehow cross the wall blocking his path before the King's next visit.
[Kuhahaha! It was quite an entertaining diversion.]
Having dealt with the last demon remaining on the surface, as well as finishing all other preparations.
The Ruler of Death, who had suddenly arrived and brought great change to Devour, crossed the dimensional wall without hesitation.
Leaving behind only the human who had become his Apostle and a contingent of troops to assist him.
***
"...Hoo, so this is where it truly begins."
Atop the ruins of the fortress that had collapsed in the war.
McCarthy, who had been blankly watching the sun slowly rise beyond the mountain ridge, clenched his fist.
A world already collapsed beyond recovery.
Restoring this place to its former state was a task left to those who truly lived in this world.
Though they had received help from an Absolute Being from another world during the liberation, one cannot seize their own future by relying solely on others.
'Well, in truth, it was only thanks to his help that I could even conceive of such a thing.'
He shifted his gaze and looked at the plain below the collapsed castle walls.
An undead army so vast the word 'enormous' sprang to mind unbidden.
Most of them were from the demon army that had perished during the Great War.
Those who had led the charge in destroying the world were being recycled and repurposed to restore it.
'It would have been absolutely impossible without him.'
A black flash flickered in his left eye.
Simultaneously, all undead within his domain entered his vision in an instant.
Having trained for decades in his time alone, his control over the power was exceptionally skilled.
Huuung—
Then, his obsidian-like left hand grasped the air.
Fingers moving delicately like an orchestra conductor, stirring through space here and there.
[Kieeek—!]
Clatter— clack!
[Move...!]
At the same time, the undead lined up on the plains and the specters floating in the sky let out screams in unison and began to scatter in perfect order.
Led by former demons—now executive-class undead—standing at their vanguard.
"Now then... let's begin."
McCarthy turned his body, his back to the rising dawn light, and looked up at the sky from which darkness was lifting.
And exhaling deeply, he swore:
That he would without fail make this world into the one she had dreamed of.
"—My own battle."
The liberator of humanity who had led the world to independence from the demons' oppression.
The rebuilder of civilization who had restored the ruined world utilizing undead labor.
The judge who punished evildoers who crossed the line, and simultaneously, the Apostle who served the God of Death—.
It was the prelude to the legend of Devour’s great saint, “McCarthy Hans.”
‘I would not dare take His name lightly.’
That conviction would become the reason the name “Church of Hans” spread far and wide across Devour, but for now, that was a story of the distant future.
***
‘Mm, this is quite profitable.’
Compared to the other dimensions I had passed through so far, the time I had spent in Devour was extremely short, but the gains I obtained there were by no means small.
First, an enormous amount of karma.
I had ignored every other trivial matter and focused solely on demon hunting, yet the amount of karma I acquired easily surpassed ten million.
In terms of profitability for the time invested, it could be called the best thus far.
On top of that, if I included the achievement 「Liberator」, which I obtained immediately after dealing with every demon that had appeared on the surface, the high-ranking demons that were difficult to acquire as materials, and the tremendous number of troops resurrected through the “death” that had accumulated over long years, it was no exaggeration to say that this trip to Devour had been a jackpot among jackpots.
‘It won’t be on the same level as the other dimensions I’m personally managing, but with McCarthy there, I should still be able to expect some additional karma.’
I had attached several sharp fellows to him, including one who had once served as an attendant to the Banshee Queen Olivia, so there should not be any major issues on the practical side either.
After all, the forces I had left behind in Devour alone were enough to easily establish a country.
‘And in Devour, where everything has been dragged down to a lower standard because of the demons, someone at the very edge of the ultimate realm shouldn’t suddenly die an absurd death.’
Now that not a single Transcendent-class powerhouse remained, it was no exaggeration to say McCarthy was effectively the strongest in Devour.
‘I gained a useful ability.’
I nodded in satisfaction.
An ability I had obtained in the process of defeating the Great Demon of Infinity, one that had played a part in raising McCarthy to that level in one fell swoop.
This power would become a great weapon against the leader of the Beoncheon Society, who manipulated time and space at will.
‘I should be able to apply it to training too, just like I used it on McCarthy.’
Of course, there were still points that needed improvement.
McCarthy was subordinate to Hans, which had given me the opportunity to correct problems in real time; my proficiency was still lacking if I wanted to use it perfectly as I pleased.
‘Well, that’s a problem time will solve.’
I lightly shrugged.
Above all, Hans’s conquest of other worlds had not ended with Devour.
The number of Transcendents from the Beoncheon Society I had captured in the meantime was not just one or two.
And there were still several dimensions left that I could visit through them.