Chapter 480: You Should Be Punished (1) |
Belial’s voice managed to penetrate the cold-hearted Elune scum, and the incompetent Benigoa’s interference, and his voice made my body and soul feel at home. I was honestly a bit doubtful that Belial got summoned.
I had heard about how Jung Ha-Yan, Kylie Yale, and Han Sora received help from mysterious helpers, but I thought their chance of summoning Belial was low. My presumption was evidenced by how my mana influenced Belial’s previous summoning.
I assumed that Jung Ha-Yah had done something to create a similar environment as Laios back then. There was a chance that she borrowed my mana or brought a compatible catalyst with her.
Of course, I wasn’t really sure what she had done, and it was more important to deal with the fact that the great Lord Belial had descended once again.
I couldn’t see Belial’s grim face, but I was sure that he knew where I was right now. In other words, the surrounding darkness was under the control of the supreme Belial.
‘He sure is amazing.’
This wasn’t my first time being subjected to the aura of a mythic-ranked being, but the sensation still amazed me. I gulped unknowingly upon recalling how half of the Federation was currently surrounded by darkness.
Belial hadn’t actually completely descended on this world, so it was even more awe-inspiring.
Benigoa’s descent and how she had personally annihilated the undead creatures during the war with the Republic was worthy of applause, but…
[I already told you that you don’t have to flatter me. It’s really been a while… Really.]
‘I’ve missed you so much, Belial.’
[I’ve missed you as well, disgusting human. We don’t really miss someone else, but your disgusting soul made me recall a feeling that I had long forgotten. I’m not sure if I should give you an example…]
‘It is my great honor to be missed by the gracious Belial.’
[About that flattery…]
‘Where are you, Belial? This dark energy covering the entire region made me realize my incompetence and inferior pedigree, and it also made me realize how noble and pure you are. I am heartbroken that I can’t see your great figure.’
[Your flattery…]
‘Your voice that is as deep as the abyss…! It has never failed to make this mortal’s heart pound. Your voice makes me melt!’
[...I’ve always thought this about you, but you really are a disgusting human. I actually can’t feel even an ounce of dishonesty in your voice, and it makes me feel like vomiting. You can stop your flattery because those words are unnecessary between us. Anyway, there must be something you need.]
‘That isn’t the case. Of course, that doesn’t mean I don’t need anything at all, but… I’m heartbroken because I feel like you still haven’t realized my sincerity.’
[Even in Hell, I’ve never heard of flattery that is as disgusting as yours. I know that you’re thinking about how to squeeze as much value as you can from me.]
‘It’s a misunderstanding, Belial. How could I do—’
[Forget it. It will be a win-win situation, anyway… I should actually thank you for the previous incident.]
‘You mean how I helped you?’
[No need to discuss the details.]
That was what he said, but I had an inkling about the underlying meaning behind his words. I was sure that the combined fear and anxiety from the people of the continent due to the previous incident had helped him tremendously.
Demon Lords were similar to the gods, whose sustenance was the faith of their followers.
Moreover, it happened during the contract period, so it had to have been counted as one of his accomplishments, which meant that his rank had increased along with his power.
I was sure that the supreme ruler of thousands of demons, Belial, was wielding even greater power compared to last time because of the summoners’ hard work and meticulous preparation, but I also felt like he had become even more powerful himself.
[That’s right. You’re quick on the uptake, human. Then, you should know what I desire.]
‘I believe it’s regarding the contract and the additional benefits you’ll receive through it. It just so happens that you and I want the same thing. I’m so happy that we both have the same interests this time as well. Anyway, regarding the contract…’
[There isn’t a contract this time. The black mage human is pretty talented, but it’s difficult to establish a contract without you. I had an idea about what she wanted, so I just nodded. Without a proper contract, my time here will be short, but… do not be disappointed.]
‘Is it bad for you to remain in the real world for a long time?’
[I won’t say that it’s bad. I enjoy staying here, but the real world is like my workplace, so I’m not fond of staying here for a long time. Anyway, this useless conversation shall end here. Tell me what you want.]
‘Ahem… ahem… I apologize for telling you this myself, but… you told me to tell you what I want with your gracious voice, so I’ll bear the shame and tell you.’
[I hope it’s something fun.]
‘It’s honestly the same as last time.’
[Hm?]
‘To be clear, you have to fool the entire continent rather than just one person. I’m a bit cautious about asking you if you’re satisfied with that arrangement, but I believe that you’ll enjoy it just as much as last time, at the very least.’
[Is that so?]
‘I still don’t have enough information, so I can’t tell you everything…’
[I’m curious about what kind of scummy thoughts you’re having this time. I’m really curious.]
‘I’m sure it’ll be more than enough to achieve the result that you want to achieve. Will you get into a contract with the black mage like you did last time?’
[I don’t need it. A direct contract is impossible, but a temporary contract is possible. It looks like the stupid Benigoa and the other gods aren’t managing the continent properly. If those hard-liners were passionate about doing something to the continent, then I’m sure that humanity would have been in a really awkward position.]
‘When you say hard-liners…’
[I’m sure you have already heard from Benigoa, but this continent is like a workplace for beings like us.]
‘A workplace…’’
[I just used an expression that humans will understand, so I can provide you with a proper example. None of us will actually say that this continent is a workplace, but it is indeed a place for us to do business. They obtain holy power through faith and by managing the continent, while we obtain power through emotions and contracts. In other words, this is like a market. The hard-liners I was talking about were the demons whose long-cherished wish is to guide this workplace down the path of destruction.]
‘I-I see…’
[Their long-cherished wish is dumb. To put it bluntly, this continent is a hen that lays golden eggs, and the hard-liners are trying to cut open the stomach of that hen…]
‘T-They’re ignorant…’
I was being kind of disrespectful here, but I knew that demons weren’t like humans at all, so I was confident that Belial wouldn’t take offense.
Anyway, their problem was a lot more serious than ours, but it was possible that I was only thinking that way because Belial had used examples that were easier for me to understand, like saying that the continent was a workplace and how the hard-liners were trying to kill the hen that laid golden eggs.
Of course, their issue was fundamentally the same as ours.
‘I’m sure they’re stressed as well.’
Their business partner was basically kicking up a fuss at their workplace. I wasn’t sure what the hard-liners and the moderates among the demons wanted to do, but the answer was easy to deduce.
There was a chance that there were demons who cared about mankind, but Belial and the moderates probably only wanted to maintain the status quo for the sake of ranking up by raking achievements.
Therefore, they obviously wanted to keep the continent safe. After all, this was the shared workplace of both demons and the gods.
‘In other words, many demons do not want to see the destruction of the continent.’
Of course, it was probably different for the hard-liners.
I heard a voice interrupting my train of thought. However, the voice didn’t belong to Belial. It belonged to the anxious Jung Ha-Yan. I was sure she was anxious because she was carefully looking around.
At the sight, I couldn’t help but think that my presumption was correct. She was definitely nervous about staying here because she couldn’t control Belial after summoning him.
“L-Let’s go back, oppa,” Jung Ha-Yan suggested.
‘Why would I go back? If you want to go back, go back by yourself, Ha-Yan.’
“I-I have a bad feeling… H-Hurry…” she added.
Jung Ha-Yan nervously pulled at the hem of my clothes. I glanced at her and saw her biting her lips. It wasn’t really strange that she was nervous because Jung Ha-Yan definitely knew more than anyone else that this place was dangerous.
I wanted to take a closer look before leaving, but my lover didn’t want me to go. She had no idea what was going on, so she was frustrated about how I kept on walking deeper into the darkness.
I glanced at Jung Ha-Yan again and saw her eyes darting around.
‘So you’re not going to confess...’
“T-The others will get worried if we come back late, s-so let’s go back. T-The reinforcements should be here s-soon,” Jung Ha-Yan stuttered.
“But, still…”
“I-I said let’s hurry!” she urged.
‘How dare she give me orders…’
“Wait…” I said.
“We have to leave!” she yelled.
‘Unni, you don’t like me, right?’
[I already told you that I like you.]
‘I-I wasn’t saying that to you, Belial.’
[I know. I was just joking, so there’s no need to be nervous about it. Now, let’s talk about something more useful…]
‘I agree, Belial.’
[I have an idea what you want, but is it really okay for us to do that? I don’t really care, but the power of that dumb Benigoa will weaken.]
‘You don’t have to worry about the workplace of the great beings. I can’t give you a definite answer, but if we get lucky, the continent will go back to its original state. After all, desperate humans often turn to their gods. All you have to do is show these ignorant humans your great power. If you use Benigoa’s second coming and me—the symbol of Benigoa—things will… probably be easier for you…’
[Are you staying that…]
‘This is the first request of your incompetent servant. Oh, ruler of all demons, please abduct me.’
[Pffft… Pffft… You really are a disgusting human. Are you not suspicious of me at all? I can harm you if I want…]
‘We already have something going on between us...’
[Right! That’s right! Your request is granted because it’s between you and me. Pffft…! Hehe… All right. I’ll play along.]
‘I’m extremely grateful. Thank you. Thank you very much! Three cheers for Belial…!’
[Let’s get started.]
I immediately found myself suffocating.
‘What the heck? Shit…!’
Jung Ha-Yan was obviously more shocked than me.
Her face had turned pallid, and she was covered in sweat.
“R-R-Run…” Jung Ha-Yan muttered.
‘What?”
“H-Hurry!” she urged.
“What… are you…”
“I-I said run! Hurry! Hurry up and run!” she screamed.
The situation quickly became tense. What was about to happen would be a bit brutal, but Jung Ha-Yan definitely had to go through it.
Comments 1