◈ Episode 444. When the Time Comes, It Will Return (1)
Everything is relative.
But the absolute total amount can never be overlooked.
The same goes for negative emotions.
Before the Cataclysm.
Demons were rare on the Arcana Continent.
The places toward which negative emotions were directed were also limited.
The pure-blooded demons of the Arcana Continent.
Great sins and great evils.
The Seven Deadly Sins.
The reason the Seven Deadly Sins treated the demons of the Demon Realm as mongrels and openly shunned them was simple. They did not want to share the negative emotions of the Arcana Continent, the source of their power, with them.
In that sense, before the Cataclysm, the power of the Seven Deadly Sins was incomparably stronger than after the Cataclysm. Furthermore, the same was true of the Primordial Evil, which could be called the mother of the Seven Deadly Sins.
“Lord Dexio……!”
Eucla, who was being consumed by malice.
The reason he had not noticed the signs from him?
It was simple.
“You were suppressing it until the very end, Eucla.”
It was because Eucla had resisted the malice to the end.
However, because we were shaken by that malice.
The thing that absorbed the negative emotions had swallowed Eucla whole.
Dexio murmured.
“We must tell Akshan of our mistake.”
Beware the Primordial Evil.
Its malice cannot be classified even by our natural enemy relationship.
Even so, do not despair.
Ding.
Dexio looked at the writhing tentacles.
“What is that damned bell sound……!!”
Akshan’s relic, the “Bell of Temperance.”
It was an Akshan relic made to oppose the Seven Deadly Sins.
Since there had been no opportunity to encounter the Seven Deadly Sins.
Its performance had never been properly confirmed.
“Graaah! My ears, my ears feel like they’re rotting!!”
But seeing the byproduct of the Primordial Evil writhe in agony.
It seemed certain that it would have a tremendous effect on the Seven Deadly Sins as well. That was also why Dexio had stolen Akshan’s relic from Akshan, even if it meant becoming a deserter. ‘This is only the beginning.’ Eucla was by no means weak.
The Primordial Evil that had corrupted even a valiant demon hunter was aiming for Akshan. Furthermore, now that the Demon Kings of the Demon Realm were preparing to reach their claws toward the Arcana Continent. ‘Akshan is a lone wolf.’ There was no one on the continent who could be called Akshan’s ally. There were the dwarves, but the place where they stayed was not the Arcana Continent.
Yes.
Not the Empire.
Not the Goddess Church.
No one believed in Akshan.
“This is why we should have taken credit.”
Dexio recalled the missions he had undertaken.
The missions to hunt demons and destroy curses.
The reason they had been packaged as something trivial was simple.
Because negative emotions fattened demons.
To suppress fear, Akshan had to become even smaller.
It had to become even more insignificant.
It had to become even more laughable.
Dexio smiled bitterly.
“So this is the result.”
I’ve become the boy who cried wolf, after suffering all the hardship myself.
And.
That was the reason he had chosen to trust that man.
Grandfell.
Even when driven into a corner, he did not retreat an inch. Yes, even after filling the Cup of Humility with black water, he showed not an ounce of fear.
Rather, he had even bluffed at him with a shamelessness that was almost brazen.
-“Look if you wish. If you can bear the consequences.”
Dexio laughed once more.
“You do not even know what that water means.”
The Tears of Humility.
If the one who grasps the cup is humble, the cup fills with tears.
That is all.
That was why Dexio had asked Grandfell a question.
-“……Who are you?”
If it was the Grandfell he had seen.
The cup should certainly have been dry.
And yet, the cup had filled with black water.
Black water—bewilderingly, it was an unprecedented phenomenon.
So Dexio had simply exercised some flexibility.
“Perhaps I admired you, Grandfell, you noble one……”
He had entrusted Akshan to Grandfell.
If it is you, you may be able to restore Akshan’s authority, fallen to the very bottom. If it is you, you may be able to prevent Akshan’s collapse.
Because that unbending pride of yours will not break before any demon, nor before any trial.
“And this is but my small greed, but……”
Perhaps someday.
Not only my achievements.
But the true value of all the achievements Akshan has accomplished.
He thought Grandfell might be able to reveal them.
So.
“You may all close your eyes in peace.”
Swish.
Dexio looked at the fallen demon hunters.
He was the only one left alive.
“Stubborn bastards, you Akshan whelps.”
The tentacle approached, spitting frivolous words.
He was not afraid of death.
He had fought his way through a hell worse than death.
Akshan’s relic?
That, too, was fine. Since no one came looking for it, it was the [Valley of the Forgotten]. If it was at the bottom of the valley…… the Akshan relic in his breast would never fall into another’s hands.
So it was fine.
“Demon, you have nothing to rejoice over.”
Thud.
Dexio dropped the corpses of the demon hunters down the cliff. At the very moment even the tentacle seemed puzzled, Dexio’s body plunged down the cliff as well.
Flutter.
“I did not retreat before a demon. I merely lost my footing.”
Akshan’s cloak fluttered in the air.
Dexio closed his eyes.
He murmured one last time.
“When the time comes, will all things not find their proper place?”
Wouldn’t you agree.
Grandfell Claudi……
What was it again?……
At any rate, Romeo.
*
When I opened my eyes, I was on the top floor of the Spacetime Social Hall. ‘What the hell happened?’ This entry had raised far more questions than certain gains. Accordingly, I had been deeply worried not only about my Understanding of Darkness, but also about the proficiency of Heaven and Earth, I Alone Am Supreme.
[Understanding of Darkness (Curse): Greatly increases affinity with suitable magic. However, one must face the past that is the source of the suitable magic.
- Current suitable magic affinity: 40%]
[Heaven and Earth, I Alone Am Supreme (40%): An unparalleled genius of the era, blasphemous even to the Goddess. Draws out the talent of Grandfell Claudi Arpheus Romeo.]
A 10 percent increase is something to be grateful for, seriously.
Swallowing a sigh of relief inwardly, I looked back on the scene I had witnessed in [Understanding of Darkness]. In any case, I had learned the truth about Akshan’s internal strife. ‘As expected, what I suspected was right.’ I—Grandfell—had been the cause.
Clink.
Of course, the person at the center of the incident remained shameless as ever.
“Indeed, it is unchanged.”
He brought the teacup to his lips.
It had been lukewarm water to begin with.
Of course it was unchanged.
“A stable taste and aroma. Indeed, it is worthy of five stars.” ……
How very typical of you.
Leaving Grandfell’s shopping satisfaction aside.
I continued thinking.
The Akshan deserters who stole the relics were Dexio and the seven demon hunters, including Eucla. Since they had rashly swung their swords at me when I was not a demon. ‘In accordance with the rules.’ I could understand that they could no longer remain in Akshan and had to leave. But the conversation I had with Dexio at the end was nothing but puzzling.
What did Dexio see in me.
That made him erase his suspicions about me?
And.
-“When the time comes, will all things not find their proper place?”
What was the reason for saying something so plausible?
Was it merely Akshan-style speech.
Comparable to Grandfell-style speech?
My curiosity came first, but there was something more important than that. ‘I need to check whether reality has changed.’ If I interfere with the past, reality also changes.
I still lacked understanding of the Strange, so I could not know which of the two came first. But I had learned through [Understanding of Darkness]. And through carrying out the [Highest-Rank Spacetime Quest].
That the past and present were closely connected. ‘If so…….’ Could the ending in which the Akshan deserters, including Dexio, died in the valley have changed? Of course, if that was the case, the whereabouts of the Akshan relics might become completely unknown.
“Even if they are relics without equal, they are merely material objects.”
There’s nothing more precious than human life, is there?
“They are fleeting.”
There was no need to hesitate. I remembered the coordinates of the [Valley of the Forgotten] clearly.
I exited the Spacetime Social Hall.
Whoooosh.
And immediately manifested a portal.
The scenery changed.
I voiced my impression upon revisiting.
“So you have truly left.”
The [Valley of the Forgotten], which the Shadow God had left.
Its eerie aura had disappeared. Weeds were poking their heads out of ground where not even a blade of grass had grown before, and birds that had built nests could be seen on the dizzying cliffs.
“I shall commend that judgment.”
Muttering words that would make the Shadow God feel slighted if he heard them, I walked on only briefly. I reached the place where the remains of the Akshan deserters had lain. Then I murmured.
“Regrettable.”
The deserters’ remains were unchanged.
But unlike at first, their attire had become familiar to my eyes.
An especially worn Akshan outfit.
It was unmistakably the one that had belonged to Dexio, whom I had seen in [Understanding of Darkness]. ‘That really is regrettable.’ However, the relics were gone.
The skeletons remained as they were, but only the relics had vanished without a trace. But I was not flustered. Because there was magic. I immediately manifested magic and reenacted what had happened here through magic particles.
And I witnessed it.
An exceedingly familiar silhouette. The silhouette of a man so enormous that one could not forget him after seeing him once—it was undoubtedly Rockkid’s. If so, I could also guess the silhouette of the woman beside him.
“Kichi.”
Kichi and Rockkid of the Shadow Mercenary Corps.
Those two knew something about the relics’ whereabouts.
As expected, there was no reason to hesitate.
Especially Kichi.
“There is nothing more important than a promise.”
Starting with the fact that you broke your promise to return, this isn’t the first or second time, is it?
You’d better come up with a plausible reason starting now.
When it comes to punctuality, Grandfell’s grudges are no joke.
“I sincerely hope it is a valid reason.”
*
Rockkid searched the man’s breast.
“Haa……?”
Under normal circumstances, he would have suspected them without hesitation. He would have cursed up a storm, saying those Berserk Society bastards had already swiped the goods, those rat-like sons of bitches.
However.
“……Well, I suppose that can happen.”
Rockkid let out a faint laugh.
Yes, it was none other than Claudi.
If it was an object related to that man crazy about teatime, it wasn’t completely incomprehensible. What Rockkid held in his hand was a “cup” made of silver.
Let’s see, it’s a cup with a wolf drawn on the outside.
“……Makes me want to have a drink.”
Rockkid thought of the scenery of the Yusra Kingdom.
To be exact, the scenery of the Golden Calf Tavern.
The tavern’s scene was unusually vivid.
It was as if adventurers sat huddled before his eyes, and the owner’s nagging rang clearly in his ears. Mm, yes. He couldn’t leave out the adventurers’ magic tool called television, where moving pictures appeared.
“Ah.”
Rockkid suddenly opened his mouth.
“Kichi, are you listening……?”
An answer came.
“I’m listening.”
“Sorry. I only just remembered.”
“What?”
Rockkid chuckled.
“I still haven’t paid off my tab there.”
He laughed as though he might run out of breath.
It was certainly different.
It was a sensation he had never felt even when he was beaten to a pulp by Elsidore, that pointy-eared bastard, nor when he had been slashed to the brink of death by demons. Yes, this time, it was definitely his life flashing before his eyes.
Gush.
Rockkid’s entire body was covered in wounds. Blood spurted from every injury. They were wounds so severe that neither staunching the bleeding nor the potions made by Alkari had any effect.
And so Rockkid spoke his final words.
“……Hey, if you make it back, pay off my debt first.”
Kichi looked around at the now-silent surroundings.
“…….”
With this, everyone had died.
The Berserk Society, and the Shadow Mercenary Corps.
With Rockkid as the last, everyone had died.
It was mutual destruction.
The contract with the Shadow God was still in effect, and it was cruel.
Only Kichi could not die, even if she wanted to.
“…….”
Left alone, she watched the annihilation of the Shadow Mercenary Corps.
What remained to Kichi now were only the seven silver pieces of junk.
That the Berserk Society had stolen.
“They said they would kill Claudi with this crap……?”
After being stabbed in the back by the Shadow God.
For the first time, she felt as though she had been scammed.
Kichi stroked Rockkid’s face as it cooled.
“I traded all of you for this garbage……?” ……
This was my pride?
Truly……?
It was the moment Kichi’s pupils sank hollowly.
Whoooosh—
The seven silver trinkets began to shine.
The twisted past.
Became a butterfly effect and began to change reality.
“Why are you so surprised, Captain……. No, deserter?”
As if the hands of a clock were turning backward.
Rockkid, whose body had grown cold.
No, every member of the Shadow Mercenary Corps came back to life.
They had died.
But because they had not died.
Tears flowed down Kichi’s cheeks as she witnessed the whole truth.
“……Is it you again?”
A sound rang out as if in answer.
Click.