Temple of the Demon World (4)
A human from Earth and a demon born in the Demon World.
Despite their different origins, the two surprisingly similar men stared at each other quietly.
“······.”
“······.”
There wasn’t much conversation.
Just exchanging glances and sharing the complicated feelings inside.
But that alone was enough.
Even though they are now divided into two, they were originally one and the same.
The system became unusable after more than twenty years had passed since he had moved to Outerica, but thanks to the fact that it had not yet been thirty years, Ken Miyamoto’s unique skill, “Thought Transfer”, had not completely disappeared.
however-.
‘···It’s too late after all.’
Ken closed his eyes tightly at the sight of the main body still lying on the altar, quietly looking up at him who had become a demon, moving only its eyes.
Yeah, we both already knew that.
That Ken Miyamoto’s life, which had become a ritual sacrifice, was not far from coming to an end.
It wasn’t just that his body was weakened due to simple malnutrition.
Starting from the potential of each and every cell, to the spirit that constitutes the self, and even to the very foundation of the soul.
He was already nothing more than a pile of ashes, with only a small spark left on the verge of going out, all that was left was a ember.
‘It’s too late···.’
No matter who came, that person could not be saved.
The same was true for saints, demon kings, dragons, and even those who immediately attained enlightenment and ascended to transcendence on their own.
In fact, it was nothing short of a miracle that I was able to open my eyes in that state.
Perhaps the contact with myself that brought me here was a trigger for something.
Ken looked at the main body of the altar with complicated eyes.
He was merely a clone using the unique skill “Thought Transfer”, but was transformed by the curse and influenced by the devil’s body, becoming significantly different from his original form.
However, no matter what anyone said, the subject of the ability was Ken Miyamoto, who was lying down right now, and it was an undeniable fact that he was a being born artificially there.
so.
That’s why I couldn’t help but be even more surprised.
“···Is that really okay?”
A certain will passed down from the main character, Ken Miyamoto.
“······.”
Even at the question mixed with surprise, he just smiled faintly.
Demon Ken looked at him with a subtle expression as he was unable to speak due to his vocal cords being completely shrunken.
It was an emotion he could no longer understand, having become a complete demon.
“Then let’s get started right away.”
But I didn’t refuse it because it didn’t mean anything bad to him.
Rather, knowing that time was running out, he no longer hesitated and took action immediately.
A ‘devil’s contract’ in exchange for the soul of the contractor.
[Azi DeQure de roTuS Vi···.]
With a soft order, one of Ken’s hands covered the forehead of the closed-eyed body, while the other grabbed the drooping, limp hand.
He looks far too pious to be in the middle of an evil contract.
Rather, it seemed like a sacred ritual to comfort the dying.
And as if in response to that.
Woohoo—
As the devil’s pact began to slowly progress, the altar and the entire ritual hall connected to it began to resist fiercely.
As if something once in one’s hands cannot be taken away.
It was only natural, since Ken Miyamoto had already been offered as a sacrifice in this ritual.
[DoU keTep JAd ra···.]
It is a situation where it is pushed back in terms of procedural priority for a ceremony that has already been in progress for over twenty years, and also in terms of output due to its massive scale.
In such cases, it would have been normal for a later contract attempt to bounce, but Ken didn’t care about such backlash at all.
That would be the case.
Because the subject and object of this contract were one, not two different people.
Pitter-patter—!
The previously ongoing consciousness was cracked by a causal flow so strong that it overrode all procedures.
When one small gear in the intricately interlocking giant clockwork mechanism was forcibly dislodged, the entire structure began to creak.
This happened because Ken’s relationship with the intervening party was closer than the priority of consciousness.
It didn’t stop at simply disrupting existing consciousness.
‘I’ve done unpaid volunteer work for 20 years, so I should at least get some retirement pay, even if it’s small.’
Ken’s eyes narrowed as he slowly pulled out the deeply rooted soul of the body.
A huge amount of energy followed the remnants of the completely shattered soul.
The ritual that was taking place here, as well as the energy source that supported this unidentified temple to remain in the Demon World.
One of the pillars was uprooted.
Kurururung—
The quiet temple shook as if an earthquake had occurred, but Ken paid it no mind.
He knew that the amount of energy he had extracted would not be enough to completely destroy this temple, let alone the consciousness.
Unfortunately, the condition of the main body was so bad that it was impossible to intervene any further.
‘Still, at this level… I guess I can get a decent retirement allowance.’
With that thought, Ken quietly looked down.
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The real Ken Miyamoto looks up at himself with eyes that have become clearer, perhaps because a powerful energy has suddenly flowed into him.
But that was just a temporary phenomenon that would disappear the moment the contract was finalized.
The person in question also seemed to be well aware of the fact, and as if now was the opportunity, he opened his mouth with difficulty.
“······ah.”
A voice that seemed to be on the verge of death leaked out from his mouth that was gaping open.
The necessary communication could have been accomplished through linked “thought transfer,” but he did not rely on it this time.
As if trying to somehow leave a trace of his existence in this world.
“···Hello··· Ken···.”
A voice that was very hoarse from not using it for over twenty years.
But those were all the words I managed to utter with difficulty.
And Miyamoto Ken… no, now the man who had given up the last spark and was now reduced to nothing but ashes smiled faintly.
Woohoo—
Shortly thereafter, the contract was finally finalized.
The Earthling who handed over his name to the devil as his last will quietly closed his eyes.
“······.”
The devil, who had become the only ‘Ken’ left in the world, quietly looked down.
Now, the altar is empty, with only the clothes that someone was wearing left on it.
“···The contract has been concluded.”
The soul he received during the contract process was so damaged that it would have been of little value to other demons, but to him, it had a completely different meaning.
The deficiency that I had from birth and could never overcome was filled, and a sense of fulfillment filled me from the depths of my heart.
Thud thud—
Even though he was incarnated as the Demon King’s body, his body, which had remained at the level of a count, was rapidly rebuilt based on the enormous energy he had stolen.
Although we were unable to skip multiple steps at once, we were able to lay the foundation for continued growth in the future, as the imperfections that had been impeding growth were resolved.
“The price is everything about Ken Miyamoto. And the wish is…”
Now he is not a clone of himself created by someone else—.
“···Living instead.”
Because he was the only true devil who existed in this world.
Marquis-level demon Ken slowly looked around.
This place is the heart of Duke Marryong’s plans.
He was delayed by the unexpected, but his work did not change.
“I guess it’s finally over?”
“Hahaha! Looks like you’ve gained quite a bit, hyung?”
“Then let’s move quickly! It’s about time Duke Ma-Ryong came back.”
At that moment, Davidson, who was walking around the inside of the temple diligently while Ken was working on the contract, approached him.
He didn’t know how he knew what was going on outside, but he just nodded quietly, thinking it was just that.
That guy was sent directly by Hela, so it wouldn’t be strange if he had such abilities.
“···Yeah, it took longer than I thought. Let’s hurry.”
The mission is not over yet.
Wasn’t the reason he came here in the first place to gather information and sabotage Duke Marryong?
As his personal business was over and his original purpose came to mind, a hot light rose from his eyes like flames.
“Let’s take everything we can, and destroy everything we can’t take.”
“Ooh! You really like that?”
“Hmm! Is there no meat here?”
“They’re already done, bro. This place may be big, but the space he mostly uses is limited!”
Davidson, the self-proclaimed greatest hunting dog in the Demon World with three pairs of sensitive noses and three pairs of sharp eyes, snorted and shouted proudly.
Ken nodded at his words and looked around again.
“Okay, then I’ll start by taking care of the offerings here.”
I had just realized, while forcibly draining my energy, how important this space was.
If you infiltrate enemy territory, it makes sense to first destroy their core facilities.
He slowly walked, drawing on the power of “thought transfer” that he felt dimly within him.
Of course, this is just for the mission.
There was no special feeling.
***
“Heron! Where on earth have you been to get your arm like that?”
“Ahaha. How did that come about?”
“Haa— The hospital director called me urgently, so I was wondering what was going on···.”
Hesperon just scratched the back of his head in embarrassment at the voice of a woman sighing deeply.
I was aware that I had caused him worry, so I couldn’t bring myself to say anything.
I knew full well that the reason she said that was because she cared about me that much.
“···Anyway, I can’t live. Are you really okay? Are you sick or something?”
“Of course! I told you that the old man was being too pushy. There really is no problem. Just in case, I have other solutions prepared.”
At that boast, Crown Princess Riley, the next emperor of the Azerion Empire, looked at him with narrowed eyes.
As the heir to the empire, I was so busy that I was surprised to suddenly receive a call from the hospital director.
Because of that, her confident words could not have been very appealing to her, who was in a hurry to deal with urgent matters and run straight to work.
‘I wonder where he is and what he’s doing. He seems to be frustrated with being stuck in the palace, so I tried my best not to pay attention to him···.’
I would like to lock him up in a safe place for the rest of his life, but I can’t bring myself to do that.
Because he was her partner, not her property.
Also, considering his ability to escape from the Immortal King’s stronghold, it didn’t seem possible to confine him anywhere.
‘···No, wait. Now that I think about it···.’
But suddenly, as she thought about the past, one thing crossed her mind.
As she recalled that, she quickly turned her head away and covered her mouth.
Blinking her eyes, which had grown wide, repeatedly.
‘That, we clearly made a contract when we escaped, right? The conditions we made back then···.’
He is not his own property, but on the contrary, he is as good as his own.
The contract they made at that time was of that kind.
In reality, no matter how far away they were, couldn’t he communicate with her and even summon her whenever and wherever he wanted?
‘Ugh, I knew that… But is this really okay? I’m the next empress. And for me to be someone’s property…’
Fortunately, no one, including the great wizard, noticed this, perhaps thanks to the special abilities of the other-worldly person, but this fact could have been a fatal disqualification for him as the next emperor.
She swallowed without realizing it as she thought about it that far.
Of course, I had been fully aware of it before, but as I thought about it seriously again, I couldn’t help but feel worried.
‘No, you shouldn’t think so negatively. In fact, thanks to this, I’ve been helped a lot.’
If you think about it, it was the best insurance of all.
If you continue to stay by my side no matter what danger I face in the future, I will be able to overcome the crisis as easily as I have done so far.
His ability had been proven by many past incidents, so there was no need to examine it further.
‘Yeah, well. There’s nothing you can do about what’s already in the past. Well, if you look at it that way, maybe it’s a good thing···.’
Riley’s face, lost in thought, slowly turned red.
The image of herself as the emperor and Hesperon standing firm beside her flashed through her mind.
And that imagination is not limited to just the two of them…
“Riley?”
“Huh?”
Then, she suddenly jumped at the sound of someone calling her name and looked back at him with a bewildered face.
But Hesperon was also surprised by the intense reaction.
He just suddenly called her while she was groaning alone.
She quickly read the mood, cleared her throat, and opened her mouth again.
As if it was nothing special, with an indifferent look.
“Ahem, please take care of yourself from now on. Heron is no longer single.”
“huh?”
“ah?”
However, it was inevitable that my thoughts from just a moment ago would turn out to be lies.
After that slip of the tongue.
Riley, who had been hurriedly making excuses, quickly left, saying that she had some unfinished business to think about.
Just leave a message saying if you need anything, just let me know.
Hesperon, who saw her off as she came and went like the wind, let out a sly laugh.
Then he quietly looked down at his right arm and thought to himself with a serious expression.
“Hmm, surely this won’t have any effect on the surroundings?”
The black spots have grown bigger in the meantime.
But so far, this seal has been doing its job well enough.
‘But still, what’s inside is so amazing that I don’t know.’
It was the remnant of a being who had even served as the Demon King.
It wasn’t impossible for even a tiny bit of energy that flowed out without anyone noticing to have an effect on the people around them.
He may not have noticed it because he is immune to mental attacks.
“···Just in case, I have to hurry up and make the seal.”
He lightly licked his lips and clenched his fists hard.
An enormous power felt even though it was sealed.
‘I think I could summon Ken with this. I wonder if I could use it on Earth too?’
He smiled gently as he recalled the Marquis-level demon that was firmly connected to the dark spirit in his right arm.
I was wondering how I could make this wonderful slave grow faster.
