Chapter 74 – I’ll tell you anything! Just let me live!

“First of all. Cooperation regarding the matter of going to Hell is a given, of course. Don’t misunderstand. This isn’t a condition for your conversion, but a condition for this position. Any objections?”

There couldn’t be. Even if there were, they would have to say there weren’t. Astaroth and Jarvis shook their heads furiously.

“Good. Then let’s move on to the next thing. First, Jarvis.”

“Yes, O Trumpet resounding at the crack of Dawn.”

“…Firstly, you are to find a way to get to Hell. That’s your top priority. The next thing you need to do is take good care of your master.”

Seeing that woman, she’s not only lazy but has a touch of being scatter-brained. Worse than our chairman Nefertis.

On top of that, I wonder if she can adapt well to this world. Just in case something happens….

“Remember this well. If you go causing problems and get caught up in some unnecessary situation, people will question why I even accepted a demon. If, by some chance, that happens, I won’t be able to help you anymore.”

“…”

“Behave yourself. Otherwise, you’ll be meeting this friend of mine again.”

Deus subtly clenched his fist and waved it around.

The horrifying sight made not only Jarvis but even Astaroth nod in agreement.

“I will give it my all.”

“Next, Astaroth. There’s something you need to do as well.”

“Me? Not him?”

“I just said it. Jarvis has things he needs to do.”

Above all, from now on, what I’m about to ask, only you can do it. Deus told Astaroth what he wanted—

“…Are you being serious right now? Or is this a joke?”

Hearing that, Astaroth reacted as if she was dumbfounded and bewildered.

“I’m not joking.”

“No… then it’s an even bigger problem. In my eyes, you’re a monster through and through but the rest of humanity isn’t? You could really get hurt badly. And you’re telling me to do that anyway?”

“We suffer our deaths here, so we don’t truly die on the other side.”

This one truly intends to cross over. And to kill them all, truly.

A fresh wave of relief washed over me—changing ships was the right move.

“Well, I can manage that much, at least. Hey, speaking of this trio getting the forging treatment… how about squeezing one more in?”

“Who?”

Astaroth pointed to Deus. Crystal clear it meant him.

“I hardly require your forging.”

“Not for you, for me. Or rather, something I want. Truth be told, the reason I stayed behind instead of heading back is you. Deus, I want another round with you!”

After a moment of silence, Deus inquired, “Did you perhaps suffer a serious head injury back then?”

Just moments ago, he was practically fainting with every punch he threw, and now he suddenly wants to fight? Above all, he claims to be the epitome of laziness, hating to even move?

“Ah, that’s neither here nor there. What’s an Archfiend to do? Curiosity demands satisfaction, y’know. Gotta quench the thirst when the interest is piqued!”

“…Suit yourself. Good for me, too, I could use a bit of loosening up.”

No take-backs, though. You asked for it, so it’s happening, and once we start, there’s no turning back. Still in?

Astaroth flinched momentarily at the subtly threatening question but soon nodded.

“Good. Then Astaroth, from now on, you shall be the special instructor for my Hell Divers. Your objective is singular: relentlessly train the individuals I hand over to you.”

“Grind them ’til they’re practically dead, eh? You really gonna go through with this? No complaining later?”

“I was already training them just as hard.”

“…?”

Astaroth couldn’t quite mask the bewilderment that flooded his face. If you were already training them that hard, why not just continue? You’d be better at it than I would, right?

To that unasked question, Deus simply responded, “If we’re crossing into Hell, it’s better to learn from a demon.”

“Hmph… makes me wonder if my grinding will be of any use, now that you mention it. Anyway, fine. In exchange, you, Deus, will spar with me whenever I have the time.”

And just like that, Luciel, Nefertiti, and Yurishia’s future academy life was decided by Deus.

*

The official conclusion of all the incidents that occurred in the capital and the Imperial Palace was announced.

Casualties in the capital ranged from at least dozens to possibly over a hundred.

Injuries among the ability users mobilized to prevent the situation from escalating also numbered at least a few dozen.

Property damage was incalculable. Much was destroyed, consumed by flames.

However, the Imperial Palace suffered the greatest damage. The situation here was even more dire than in the capital.

Three Archfiends had appeared. The resulting devastation was nothing short of a nightmare.

There was but a single reason it wasn’t: the miraculous fact that there were zero fatalities amidst all the chaos.

“Raise your head, savior of the Empire.”

In the half-collapsed Imperial Palace, in a grand hall flooded with sunlight brighter than ever before, the Emperor addressed Deus, who knelt before him.

“I thought the long darkness was almost over. Everyone had suffered so much, lived in such great fear. Perhaps we let our guard down for a moment. Forgetting that the darkest hour is not deep night, but the dawn.”

The Gate Incident, which had begun decades ago. At one point, it had brought them to the brink of destruction, but through countless souls and immense bloodshed, they had managed to reach the present.

They had become too confident that they could overcome it. Complacent that it was over. The price was the Archfiends, an even darker presence.

What would have happened if they had gotten their way?

First, the Empire’s cradle for nurturing ability users would have been reduced to ashes overnight.

Then, the southern region, responsible for 40 percent of the Empire’s food production, would have become a land overflowing with blood.

In the final moments, both the capital and the Imperial Palace would have vanished, leaving behind only the despair of finality.

“Within that dark hour. One even the Archfiends call ‘Dawn’ appeared. As they say, Deus. You became a ray of light at the edge of the dawn, after a deep night. A trumpet echoing in the daybreak. The protagonist of the victory promised by the gods.”

So, this is how it spreads, after all. Damn it. Should have kept my mouth shut. Whether Deus understood the Emperor’s true thoughts or not, the man simply wore a beaming, pleased smile.

“Your enemy is now the Empire’s enemy. And the Empire’s enemy shall be your own. Deus. I trust you. With your own hands. With your power alone, to end this darkness, as you promised.”

With the Emperor’s praise concluded, several Imperial decrees were announced for Deus.

Should Deus desire, he would be granted his Cradle graduation at any time, and immediately begin his duties as an Ability User.

All Ability Users within the Empire were to heed Deus’s requests, so long as they did not conflict with the Empire’s safety.

Any and all matters pertaining to demons were to prioritize Deus’s judgment, and any actions following such judgment were to be entrusted to him first and foremost.

A lot to grant to one person. Perhaps too much? Cautious opinions began to surface.

However, when word spread that Deus would soon venture into Hell itself and personally sort out the demons, everyone “Ah-ha’d,” agreeing that it all seemed fitting.

“Heard the news, junior?”

“Has there ever been a case like this before?! No! Amazing! Deus-sunbae!”

Upon Deus’s return to Cradle, Luciel and Nefertiti offered their congratulations immediately.

To receive direct praise from the Emperor was already quite an honor, but to be granted so many privileges and to be officially recognized as a specialist in all things demonic by Imperial decree…

“Yes, indeed. Wonderful news. Absolutely.”

Deus himself, however, was utterly unmoved.

No, more accurately, he was smiling. The reason? Those who needed to come were finally arriving.

He had wondered when they would appear, but they had arrived just in time. He could begin immediately.

“As you may have heard, two demons have surrendered. They have chosen to defect to the Empire, and the Empire has accepted. In return, they will assist in opening a path to Hell.”

“Yes. We heard.”

“Uhm, junior. I think that’s the demon I met before.”

“There is nothing to worry about. They will not be making any rash moves.”

They know better than anyone what would happen if they did. Though, if they want to test the waters, I suppose they are free to.

At that response, the two students nodded diligently, as if they understood perfectly.

Person, monster, demon. It’s obvious that everyone becomes docile after receiving a punch from that fist.

Rumor had it that, of the demons that appeared in the Imperial Palace, two were torn apart by hand, while one was simply beaten to death.

“Ah. I must also deliver some unfortunate news to you both.”

“Unfortunate?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I fear that I will no longer be able to oversee your training every day as before.”

Isn’t that good news? Huh? That actually sounds like good news, doesn’t it? Luciel and Nefertiti exchanged glances, thinking as much.

“Instead, Astaroth—that is, the demon who defected to the Empire—will supervise you in my place when I am unavailable. You will learn about the demons you will be fighting, memorize their weaknesses, and discover the most efficient ways to confront them.”

Huh? At Deus’s words, the two students sensed something amiss.

“Junior? Aren’t the demons no longer able to cross over?”

“Correct.”

“Then why do we…”

Deus replaced the answer with a club application form he held out towards Nefertiti.

“What is this… Cradle Club? Hell Diver?”

“I am still a Cradle student, you see. I thought forming a club would be the most appropriate course of action.”

“Wait a minute. Why are my name and Luciel-sunbae’s name on here together?”

Were our opinions not considered?! Could you not have at least asked for our approval!

As Nefertiti spoke in haste, Deus simply chuckled, “Hahaha.”

“No need to fret. It’s not like we’re leaving right away.”

“No! That’s not the point!”

“It’s only right to sort things out here first. So, you can prepare slowly, thoroughly.”

Learn strategy and tactics, methods of combat, from Astaroth. I will be the one to evaluate you.

At those words, Luciel and Nefertiti could only clutch their heads and groan, “Ughhh!”

“Surely we’re not the only ones, right?”

“There’s also Yurishia.”

“That’s it?”

“For now, yes.”

Is this even possible? One wanted to retort. But seeing Deus, the words died in their throat.