Chapter 22: Liar

After reading this story, you will surely be confused.

Specifically, I think you’ll go from "What the hell is wrong with you!?" to "Wait... what? Huh?"

Please be aware that two fairly important Original Characters (OCs) will appear.

The answer was easily obtained, if only one noticed the mistake.

I felt it intuitively: he was not the King. At the very least, he was not that man we knew. In his living years, when he possessed no rights, there would have been no meaning in him picking us up. There was no way he would remake us. There was no such necessity. He could have simply created something new. That man had that kind of power. That is why we believed that, if it were him, he could save any tragedy.

Bitterly, I also considered that he was not even that man who had ceased to be a King. It wasn’t because he lacked any ability as a King aside from his Rings. I could not imagine that man abandoning his freedom yet again. I believed he would never relinquish the rights as a human he had finally obtained—and even if he did, he would never utilize us in such a manner. It was incredibly unpleasant, but I understood it to be the truth.

If that were the case, the answer was easily obtained.

It is either the Solomon of this world, or ■■■■. If it were the former, it would still be fine. I wouldn't accept it, but I could understand it. However, if it were the latter, it would be the worst-case scenario.

—I will not forgive you.

I will not forgive you. I will not forgive you. I will not forgive you. I will not forgive you. No matter what happens, I will never forgive you. I will never obey your will. I will defy your every intention. We are the Seventy-Two Pillars of Solomon. Swearing upon this Name, we shall crush your ideology.

But that is not the true problem.

The problem is whether every single thing about us was according to the Mastermind’s schemes.

The Incineration of the Bible? The falsification of history? Was the integration with the Counter Force truly our idea? We estimated it could be executed, but was that a correct calculation? How much influence was there on the Summoning of Heroic Spirits? Did we unknowingly influence the Hero Faction? What was the true intent behind resurrecting the Evil Dragons? How many oversights and failures have we committed? How can we make amends? In the first place, can we even recognize a mistake as a mistake? Is the Lion King’s true intent involved? How much does that Goddess perceive? Does Kingu realize it? Does that clay doll have the same defects as we do? Do the Pantheons other than those of the Bible know of this situation?

No, that is not the problem. Something more fundamental is shaking.

Is this resolve—to never forgive these "aberrations"—a mere fake? Is our rage toward the Devils who defile our name, our lamentation that even the Angels utilized humans, and our sorrow over the unreasonable Sacred Gear hunting by the Fallen Angels... were these all merely planted by someone else?

Is this feeling of wanting to save someone also a lie? Helping the girl whose faith was betrayed (Asia), returning the humans turned into Devils to their original state, and giving comrades to the boy who was lonely because of his Sacred Gear (Kiba or Issei)—was all of that someone’s manipulation?

Is even the relief of "I'm glad I could save someone" a mistake?

The words of gratitude, the "Thank yous" directed at us several times in this world. Were even the confusion and joy we felt toward those words not something that came from within us?

Should we... not have tried to save people?

A Rating Game held by the young Devils of the Underworld. In the VIP seats specially prepared for viewing, the heavyweights of various mythologies—who would usually never meet outside of such occasions—were gathered together.

In the midst of this, Azazel stood before a certain god. He had intended to give him a piece of his mind regarding a recent incident. However, his plans changed. He expected the target to provoke him the moment they made eye contact, but there was no reaction even as he stood right in front of him.

The person in question—the God of War Taishakuten, also known as the Heavenly Emperor Indra—let out a very deep sigh. Only after he finished exhaling did he finally notice Azazel. It wasn’t that he was pretending not to notice; he truly hadn't, and his eyes shifted slightly in surprise.

"...Yo, if it isn't Aza-boy."

"Indra, you... what's wrong with you?"

The Heavenly Emperor wasn't using his usual "pseudo-American" way of speaking; he had an air of ennui about him. Scratching his head as if exhausted, he muttered:

"I met an acquaintance... an acquaintance? Well, someone I didn't want to see. How do I put it? Even if the appearance is different, you can tell it's 'him' in a single glance. It reminded me of some unpleasant things."

"Hm? Did you run into a reincarnation of one of your sons?"

Indra has several sons, but one of the most famous among them is the demigod Arjuna. A Great Hero called the Awarded Hero. A man who lived a life truly chosen by destiny. However, Indra has a rift with Arjuna for a certain reason. It stems from the fact that he interfered unnecessarily in the duel between Arjuna and a certain Hero of Charity (Karna), spoiling the match. Since many other gods, Buddhas, and humans besides Indra provided such "unnecessary help," it wasn't Indra's responsibility alone, but...

"If only it were that simple... Well, it’s something similar. Forget it."

"O-Okay."

Truthfully, Azazel felt he should dig a bit deeper, but seeing the God of War before him, he lost the motivation. To be blunt, it was gross. At best, it was unsightly. An old man with a shaved head making a melancholy face was just an unbalanced sight.

"What a rare combination. ...What is it, Taishakuten? You look pale."

The one who spoke up was the Chief God of Norse Mythology, Odin. Beside him was his attendant, Rossweisse.

"Don't talk to me, Northern Geezer."

Odin's curiosity was piqued, but his opponent was that War God. Better to let sleeping dogs lie. It would be fine if he stayed in this mood, but if he probed too deep and the guy went on a rampage, it would be a problem. Despite his position, Indra was that kind of god. He is a God, and a Demon King. Odin was in no position to talk about others, but Indra had high potential as a 'Tyrant.'

"Well then, I shall refrain from asking for details. More importantly, Indra. I heard you are putting effort into training warriors. Could you introduce a good 'Hero' to this Rossweisse here?"

"W-What are you saying, Lord Odin!?"

"What? Do not waste your superior's concern. Men won't just flock to you if you stay silent, you know?"

"That's not true! I... I was actually hit on just the other day!"

"Hmm. And the truth?"

"He just asked me questions about my thesis from my student days!"

The two Gods and the Fallen Angel recoiled slightly at the emotion of "He got my hopes up for nothing...!" surging on Rossweisse's face.

"Hm? A student thesis? Were you researching something special?"

"It was about 666 (Trihexa). That person seemed to be researching how to kill immortal beings... and asked if 666 could be used as one of the means."

Everyone who heard this wore a wry smile.

"What's that about? Isn't the cost-performance ratio insane? It's questionable if 666 even exists. If he's going to research that topic, he should target Great Red or Ophis instead."

"Yes, I pointed that out as well, but he made a face as if he hadn't even considered such a thing..."

That was also a strange story. Utterly bizarre. Odin's interest seemed stimulated as well.

"So, which mythology did this scholar belong to, and what was his name?"

"Yes, it was definitely... Huh? I'm sure I heard his name..."

"What, you don't remember? Has senility started at your age?"

"How rude! Please don't lump me in with you, Lord Odin!"

"Be quiet now. The game is about to begin."

"Weren't you the one who asked the question, Lord Odin!?"

"Hey now, Geezer. Don't bully her too much."

Azazel chuckled, but he was strangely bothered by the person Rossweisse mentioned. It was odd for a Valkyrie serving a Chief God to forget a name she just heard. The possibility of memory manipulation wasn't zero. But for what purpose? And why would they forget the name but "forget" to erase the content of the conversation?

(No, I’m overthinking it. For a moment I thought it might be a Demon God Pillar, but even they couldn't infiltrate the heart of the Underworld like this. Unless there was a traitor...)

The Rating Game between Rias Gremory and Riser Phenex began. Even before it started, the result was as clear as day.

Even if the life of the "King," Rias Gremory, was on the line; even if there was morale to fight in place of Issei Hyoudou, who couldn't participate; even if the "Knight," Yuuto Kiba, had awakened his Balance Breaker; even if the peerage had survived "shura-fields" involving Fallen Angel executives, Demon God Pillars, and Old Maous; and even if everyone had devoted themselves to days of training...

There was a decisive problem with Rias Gremory’s peerage.

I created the world.

In other words, the world belongs to me.

Therefore, everything that exists in the world belongs to me.

Even if it is not a world I created, as long as it exists within the world, it is mine.

Shall you return the blessings? Shall you abandon wisdom? Then, I shall take it. Your achievements should be returned to me. No, I will have them back. Even if a "me" that is not me gave it to you, even if you created it yourself, as long as it is there, it is mine. Because everything in the world belongs to me.

The Thaumaturgical Foundation (Magecraft Formula), the Chains of Heaven, the Beast of Comparison—they are all mine. If they have already been discarded, to whom do I owe an apology? No, such a thing was unnecessary from the start. Because everything is mine. I shall pick them up. I shall use them. I shall grant you the privilege of being used by me.

As expected, that man was convenient. My tool. My servant. My slave. It was unpleasant that he presented the possibility of my own destruction, but now that it has become reality, it cannot be denied. Aside from the fact that he betrayed me at the very end, he was truly useful.

It doesn't matter if some Goddess made it. It doesn't matter if it sleeps in some far-off edge of the world. Because everything is mine. Even if I did not create it, because it exists in the world I created, it is nothing other than something I created. Since I created it, it is mine. It exists only for my sake.

You all must compensate me. You all have an obligation to atone to me.

You have committed the crime of trying to arbitrarily destroy humans—the resources that exist only for my sake! You shall compensate for that! You have a duty of atonement to me!

O Beasts created by the King of Magecraft. You destroyed the world for three thousand years. Therefore, serve me. Become the cage that seals the Beast.

O cursed child of the Beast who masquerades as a Goddess. You led the aberrations and tried to fundamentally negate Human History. Unforgivable. Therefore, offer your life to me. Become the chain that binds the Beast once more.

O Beast who slept in the Tower at the Edge of the World (Tower of Imprisonment). Your very existence is a sin. Therefore, be consumed for my sake. Accumulate power and become a sacrifice in my stead.

In order to completely bury that abominable Beast once and for all. And so that my body, destroyed by the Maous and the Heavenly Dragons, may be resurrected...

You lot shall die once more.

This is a story from about three thousand years ago.

On a vast lake called the Hollow of Babylon, a single boat was floating. A man was on that boat, cradling a jar made of brass. Perhaps a beast was inside, for the jar rattled and shook from time to time.

And then, what do you know? The voices of what sounded like people could be heard from within the jar. The jar was clearly not of a size that a person could fit into. However, words with clear intent were leaking from the jar. And not just one or two. Specifically, it was overflowing with seventy-two insults, screams, and pleas.

"You tricked us, you foolish King!"

"Let us out! Let us out! Please! We won't defy you anymore, so let us out! I beg of you, let us out!"

"A-AAAAAAAAHHH!"

"Curse you, curse you! A mere human! Someone like a human!"

"Forgive us! No, no, nooo, forgive me!"

"You coward who could do nothing without the blessings bestowed by God!"

"You incompetent fool!"

"Who do you think I am! The Four Great Satans will not remain silent! I-It's still not too late! Release us quickly! I'll specially forgive you, so hurry!"

"Y-You! After using us for such things, you're going to treat us like this!?"

"Are you listening, Solomo—"

"Ah, my hand slipped."

The jar slipped from the man's hand. This man, by all appearances, dropped it on purpose!

It is a deep lake. Retrieving the jar by human strength is impossible. Because it is a special place and a special jar, neither a wizard, nor a devil, nor a god can find it. For the jar to be opened, it would have to be washed ashore or pulled up in a fisherman's net. In any case, it will be a story for the far future.

However, to the man, it didn't matter if it was tomorrow or a thousand years later. It was enough if the God in Heaven, the Demon Kings trying to take back their kin, and the Fallen Angels who had become unable to move saw this moment and misunderstood.

The man's lips curled into a smirk.

Author's Note:

Regarding ■■■■ and □□□□, they are almost entirely OCs. It's the original work's fault for not describing them.

Since □□□□ is the origin that awakened the eighth-grade syndrome (chuunibyou) alongside Loki’s three siblings, I let myself beef them up this much. Regarding their superior existence, ■■■■, I beefed them up quite a bit as well.

I reflect on my actions. But I have no regrets.