Chương 25: The Ring
The terrorist organization "Khaos Brigade," led by the dragon god Ophis.
The two major factions are the Old Satan faction, consisting of descendants of the former Satan and devils who follow them, and the Hero faction, consisting of descendants of heroes and reincarnations of brave warriors. There are also various other groups, such as the faction of magicians. If we were to describe them, it would be like a swarm of grotesque insects.
This is a meeting to address the threat they pose. Ideally, it would be absurd to respond to the summoning from the Bible faction, which has desecrated, destroyed, stolen, and violated numerous mythologies. However, even considering that, "Khaos Brigade" — or more precisely, Ophis as its leader — is a troublesome existence. Except for the True Dragons, they hold an absolute position. It is said that a dragon, who had been missing for a long time, has gathered this criminal organization. It is impossible not to feel threatened by this. It is important to be aware of the information regarding their movements and the responses of each faction. Defense is an obligation expected of both humans and gods in positions of power.
Gods from various mythologies, including the biblical factions, as well as Greek, Norse, Zoroastrian, Celtic, Slavic, Aztec, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, African, Indonesian, Mesopotamian, and Egyptian mythologies, have gathered.
"Soon, but sorry, I'll excuse myself from this meeting."
Hades, one of the three gods of Greece, said so as soon as the meeting began.
"Suddenly, but can you tell us the reason, Lord Hades?"
"I'm saying I don't want to get caught up in this."
Hades answered simply to Sirzechs question, as if there was no other reason.
Of course, that was not the only reason. Hades didn't like the presence of other mythologies. It was evident from reading the mythologies that, contrary to his title as the lord of the underworld, he had a soft spot for humans. He was undoubtedly the conscience of the Greek gods. It was because of this that he disliked the factions of the Bible. No, it would be more accurate to say that he couldn't forgive them.
"Those idiots over there aside, I don't want to be hit by your mistakes twice. I'll sever all ties with the factions of the Bible in the underworld. I came here only to inform you of that."
"Hahaha! Don't hold back, Hades!"
"Gahaha! Such a cold attitude towards your brothers!"
In response to Zeus and Poseidon's laughter, Hades let out a sigh with a cool demeanor. However, Sirzechs was more concerned about a certain word that Hades mentioned than the brotherly comedy.
"Twice?"
"Forget already? About that king. You should remember that man, whom you still avoid mentioning his name. You should remember the ancient king of Israel, even if you don't want to."
In the minds of gods and devils, a certain man's smile appeared. It was a smile devoid of joy, without a trace of cheerfulness, tainted by anger.
There was a king who laughed and raged, vowing to destroy all the gods, devils, and fallen angels. His achievements were not recorded in history, and his sins were not told in mythology. But the gods did not forget. Come to think of it, perhaps the existence of that king was the beginning of the hatred towards the Bible.
"I won't let you forget what that king did. His motives are the same. If you had just behaved during that king's era, we wouldn't have come to this situation. We wouldn't have entered this era. Almost all mythologies have been affected by your foolishness. If something like that happens again, our mythologies will be over. If we perish, it will be at your hands."
"You said it, Hades!"
Unable to hide his irritation any longer, Azazel spoke up in a strong tone.
"He should be a threat to you as well, shouldn't he? You still don't know his true intentions. No, it's not just Ophis. The Old Satan faction, who wants to create a new world order, should be a dangerous group as well. The Hero faction seems to be challenging the limits of humans. They might be planning to take your head."
While Hades was known to dislike devils and fallen angels, Sirzechs didn't expect such an aggressive statement in a public setting. Hades should have had no desire to increase unnecessary enemies.
"The situation has changed, Crow's Head. I received information from a reliable source. Once you hear it, you will know that there is no one among you who wants to get along with us."
"What? Spit it out. Is it someone who is a greater threat than Ophis and 'Khaos Brigade'?"
And then, the grim news spoken by Hades froze everyone present, whether gods or Buddhas.
"Even if you heard that the Old Satan faction has obtained that king's ring, can you maintain that attitude?"
***
I'm having a dream.
"The Supreme Dragon Juggernaut Drive."
A voice filled with hatred.
"Use the Supreme Dragon Juggernaut Drive."
Words tainted with resentment can be heard.
"To fulfill your wish, you have no choice but to use the Supreme Dragon Juggernaut Drive."
A spell smeared with despair enters my ears.
The lingering thoughts of the past Red Dragon Emperors. They, who met a miserable end. They push me from behind. They tell me to jump off the cliff ahead. They say, "You won't have a decent death anyway, so despair quickly," as they cry.
"Why are you hesitating, our new human evil?"
The Demon God, Zepar.
Because I absorbed his power, he seems to be able to freely communicate with me in my mental world. He informed me of information about the beast that was lurking around Asia.
In return, I also learned from him. About their true nature. About their original sin. About their world. About their plans.
"Awaken swiftly. And fulfill your wish."
"My wish is to become the Harem King! That's why you guys are in my way! I won't let you burn the Underworld! Well, I agree with destroying the plans of the god in the Bible, though."
"You haven't awakened yet. Why don't you try to inform Satan and the Fallen Angels' leaders about this information? What are you hesitating about?"
I felt a chilling sensation in my spine from that remark.
"You affirmed it, didn't you? The end of the Underworld and the Bible. You saw it. Your parallel world self."
One of Zepar's abilities, the ability to view parallel worlds. That's what the former Red Dragon Emperor discovered with that ability.
The "siblings that weren't born" that Zepar mentioned were something my parallel world self knew. It was about that old man, Vali, the first Lucifer, or Lilith, who took my parents hostage. At that time, I learned about my parents' past. How many painful feelings did I cause my father and mother by repeatedly peeping and doing various things?
A world without the Demon Pillars. In that parallel world, I became the "Oppai Dragon Emperor" and became a hero of the Underworld. In that world, Asia and Xenovia became peerage of the Gremory family. I would have awakened to the forbidden techniques before the game with Riser Phenex even began. Although I lost in the game, I ruined the engagement by defeating Riser. I fought with spoons and fists. I summoned a oppai goddess from another world. Many things happened, and it brought out the potential of the new Red Dragon Emperor. I became friends with the leader of the terrorists, Ophis. I barely won against Cao Cao, the leader of the Hero Faction, with Samael's poison. 666 awakened, but we managed to deal with it with some sacrifices. After being reborn as a devil for about a year, I achieved an extraordinary promotion to a high-ranking devil. It was supposed to be a wonderful story.
"That is undoubtedly an idol."
But Zepar denies it.
"You can make it work. You can make it happen. You will definitely resolve this problem. You are salvation, the future, a miracle, hope, and potential. Because you can't do it, various things are imposed on you. In that way, your parallel world self was forced with victory and salvation. The forces of the Bible have rotted... They are irresponsible fellows," Zepar sneers. The lingering thoughts of the senior members also agree.
The world always seeks power. The world always denies love.
They choose destruction over and over again.
"The result of that is imposed on your parallel world self. You manifested as the 'Beast' carrying the 'expectation' principle. You are no longer a human, a devil, or a Demon Pillar. A Dragon of Apocalypse desired that for you. So, repay that wish. It will become an offering to him. Become the final Red Dragon Emperor."
This guy is saying whatever he wants. What does he mean by "offering"? I'm not dead. Well, in a sense, I am dead. The current Ddraig is just a soul without a body.
"Hey, is my thinking correct?"
"Your determination is correct. The forces of the Bible have decayed—"
"No, not that. You understand, right?"
Zepar falls silent.
"I understand. Another of the same kind. Not a determination to fight, but a fundamental motive. A speculation about the events that occurred to oneself. I am a Demon Pillar. A magical formula that far surpasses human knowledge. Let me answer that question sincerely."
After a brief pause, Zepar succinctly states:
"I don't know."
I don't think he's joking.
"I lack the criteria for judgment. No, it's an event that cannot be judged. No matter how I judge it, it's meaningless and worthless."
Once again, he says something like that. I was about to complain, but his next words stop me.
"Because your conclusion doesn't change. Whether your thinking is a fact or a delusion, your conclusion doesn't change. Isn't that right?"
"...That's right."
"You just had bad luck."
Exactly. I had bad luck. I was unlucky. I was unfortunate.
But what exactly does "bad luck" mean to me?
Is it because I was chosen as the host for the Red Dragon Gauntlet?
Is it because it was revealed that I possess a powerful artifact as a Fallen Angel?
Or is it because Rias Gremory turned out to be a devil ruling over Kuoh Town?
"Whether Rias Gremory intentionally let Raynare, the Fallen Angel, escape or not. Whether she abandoned you to die to make you her servant. Whether everything that happened that day was intentional or not, it's all the same. In any case, you died because of that devil."
Yes, that's absolutely right.
"Normally, it would be considered a coincidence. It can be thought that she understood her position as the little sister of satan and was afraid of the impact it would have on the relationship between the Fallen Angels and the devils. It wouldn't be unnatural for her to abandon one human. But does Rias Gremory have such a temperament? She refused the engagement, which is a noble obligation, because she wanted to be in love. She didn't contact satan even when a Fallen Angel executive invaded her territory. She made a daughter with Fallen Angel blood and a Nekomata that was on the verge of being disposed of into her servants. She was apparently present during the Holy Sword Project experiment and the near-death experience of a half-vampire... All of them add up to three. Is it possible for such coincidences to occur? Regarding Kiba Yuuto and Gasper Vladi, it means that they intruded on—such—a—place. And yet, does such a woman overlook the actions of a hostile race in her territory? Does she have the capacity to be aware of the balance between the various factions?"
But that was a sudden event, right? That day, I happened to have a flyer about summoning devils, so I was saved. Because I had a strong desire to survive. I was able to summon a devil. That day, everyone else was busy, so the "King" of the club came. I needed eight evil pieces for my reincarnation, so I definitely wanted to make him my servant. I remember the club president saying that.
"Rias Gremory knew about Raynare. Not just her appearance, but her name as well. It's evidence that she had gathered information in advance. On the day you was killed by Raynare, you had a flyer about summoning devils. And the summoned devil was the "King" who possesses a evil piece. This is truly a coincidence, or is it fate? Even though it's unknown what kind of artifact you possess, do you spend all eight evil pieces on 'soldiers'?"
Maybe it's like a lucky bag. The contents are unknown, but the price is clear. And inside, there's a product that matches the price. Whether it's something necessary or not is another question. But the evil pieces are not something you can receive as if you're getting something new, as the club president said. Then why would I use such a valuable item like a gamble?
"Did that fake Gremory tell you anything true?"
Who killed me?
"Well then, it's time for the treatment to begin, so I'll disappear."
He's only saying what he wants to say... treatment? Is there something wrong?
"This is also one of the trials for us to reach our extremes. It's a process to break free from the curse of that detestable god. I vow to reunite in perfect condition, my fellow of the same kind."
***
"Then, let's begin the treatment for the next patient. Prepare the 'medication.'"
"Yes, Doctor!"
"I don't want to die, I don't want to die, I don't want to die, I don't want to die, I don't want to die, I don't want to die, I don't want to die! I absolutely refuse to die!"
"Life and death, life and death, life and death, life and death, life and death, life and death, life and death! This recurring pain reminds me of that battle. Why do I have to endure such agony...! Just put an end to it...!"
"Someone shut up Andras and Phenex, aaaaah!"
"Goetia, do your best. After this is over, we'll go to the amusement park."
"You just want to go there!"
"...Professor, what are they doing?"
"Doesn't Ophis have that snake? Let it have a special ability. It's capturing and devouring the factors that manipulate the thoughts of the Demon Pillars. You could say it's like administering a serum. It's an act that only Ophis, who possesses power on the same level as Goetia, can perform. Truly intriguing."
"Well, it doesn't really look like that to me..."
"The Demon Pillars seem to be in extreme agony..."
"Well, they're being chewed up inside their bodies, after all."
"Ugh."
"It hurts! I don't like it!"
"Couldn't you have made an anesthetic or something?"
"This is just too much..."
"With so many patients, we don't have that kind of time! Emergency treatment!"
"Pain is proof of being alive!"
"But that doesn't mean you have to forcefully stuff it in through an incision, aaargh!"
"You, false god with a misguided definition! It's because of you that we're going through this...!"
We vowed once again that we could not forgive that god.
***
"Creuserey! Is it true that the accursed man's ring has been found?"
"Yes. I was searching for the legacy of the first generation, hoping to find a way to counter those fakes."
"Kukuku... Hahaha... Hahahaha! This battle is our victory! With the ring, those fakes stand no chance against us. No, even other mythologies will bow down to us! The fact that the gods were already dead was nothing but a stroke of luck! Michael, did you forget to retrieve it?"
"Yes, Lord Shalba! With this, those fakes will perish!"
"The true Satan will become the king of the next world!"
"Now Katarea will finally be rewarded!"
"Hail the true Satan!"
"Well done, Creuserey!... What's wrong, Creuserey?"
"...No, it's just disappointing. It's starting to make me laugh. It seems I can only find amusement in situations like this. To think that descendants of my accomplices Asmodeus and Beelzebub have degraded to this extent. What do they think they accomplished by swapping my ring? Regarding Asmodeus, I even arranged for him to yield his rank to Asmodeus. And yet, they still don't know the truth about the ring."
"Creuserey?"
"Lord Creuserey?"
"... Creuserey?"
"I am Solomon."
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