Chapter CXXXIII - The Guilt of the Devil (prologue)

I have never felt it, you know… Betrayal.

Yeah, sure. Marksus.

But, I never trusted him since the beginning. In fact, I already knew he was going to betray us, at least Hod did until he told me.

It was my fault for letting my guard down on him, and he did outsmart me by dropping Hod into the hidden dungeon.

But this…

This felt very… very different.

This kind of betrayal would feel so… unique.

Weird…

Pain… it's painful.

My heart aches… My mind is heavily distorted… My entire body is crying from the pain, my tearful eyes cannot close itself even under the rubbles, and my consciousness is… ruffled.

...

Why?

While sleeping under the pebbles, I recalled all the good things Lemillia had done to me, or simply Lemillia in general. 

Her timid smile, her courage when she fights her opponents. The way she pouts when I took on the trio of light by myself and left her and Alden out.

She is cute... She must have reminded me of my little sister back then. 

Her timid behaviour and courageous acts when she is agitated... She is definitely a strong one. Though she isn't annoying like my sister, my sister was pretty timid when she was younger.

Her dream… was to become someone that protects her people. And after seeing her true colour, I understand.

She wanted to protect the demon race. By obtaining the rock of energy, it would let her do just that.

However…

I don't understand...

I don't really care why she needed protection. I don't care if she needs my help. 

The moment you arrived in front of me and stabbed me so openly…

To act as my friend since the beginning... 

To act as if you are close to me…

'I'm sorry, Rize…'

Her words rang once more in my head.

Why…? Why is this necessary, Lemillia? 

What have I done to you to deserve this treatment from you…?

Then again, what has anyone done to you…? To the demons? 

The demons lived... way over there! 

At the other side of the fucking continent!!

Why did you even think of doing this!? Why… !??

Her words… it rang again… and again… and again…

Her apologetic words… it felt so real.

She didn't want to do this, but she ended up doing it.

Below the rubbles, I cried. Once again, I cried… but I simply cannot care about staying strong anymore… I simply cannot care about thoughts and thoughts anymore…

No more…

Lemillia…

I'm sorry… because it seems like…

I will… have to apologize as well.

…

VWOOOOOMMMM!!!!!!!!

My body suddenly got boosted with strength. My muscles grew larger, and the rubbles around me shook powerfully.

Slowly they floated upwards, all the way until five meters above my head. Once the rubbles was lifted from my body, I also slowly lifted my body up.

'... Don't rely on that power too much. It might consume you.'

The old god's voice rang in my mind again, as if my inner consciousness was trying to warn me. My entire body is screaming from the pain, and I know that it was not caused by the already existing wounds on my body.

This power… it does have some payment to be done.

But… I have to save everyone... If I don't, Lemillia's allies will kill everyone.

Fuck the side effects…

I have to kill… Every demon in sight.

Lemillia… I need to hear it from you first.

But the demons… all the demons will have to die.

I opened my black red eyes wide, and let all the anger burst out at full strength from my whole body.

VWOOOOMMM!!!!!!!

I let the devil's power inside of me burst out, and slowly gives my body immense strength, strength far more powerful than what I have ever felt.

I feel… invincible… even without magic.

Around me, the rubbles became even more and more cracked due to my powerful pressure. Even without magic, my pressure is still this powerful.

Now, what will happen if I release my magic?

I turned my gaze towards the handcuff that cuffed my hands. 

Using barely any strength, I moved my hands to the sides.

PRAANNGG!!!!!!!

The world… once again bears the devil.

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