Chapter 36: The Goddess Strikes—The Truth of the World

Ryuu barely spared a glance at Kowa's lifeless body. The so-called "destiny" he spoke of was nothing but a hollow excuse. There was no fate—only choices. And Kowa had made his.

With a flick of his wrist, dark flames consumed the corpse, leaving behind nothing but ashes.

"Ding! The host has eliminated a warrior from the Hero's party. Reward: 3,000 Demon King Points!"

But Ryuu felt no satisfaction. Kowa and Ellie's deaths weren't enough to quell the burning hatred inside him. His true target still lived.

He turned his gaze toward the goddess, who leaned casually against a nearby tree, watching everything unfold as if it were mere entertainment. He pointed his Blade of Rebellion at her.

"Aren't you going to run after your so-called chosen hero?"

The goddess smiled, unfazed.

"I told you from the beginning—I don't interfere in the battle between the Hero and the Demon King. Have you forgotten?"

Ryuu narrowed his eyes. "So if I kill him, you won't stop me?"

"Go ahead," she said nonchalantly. "Heroes can always be summoned again."

There was no hesitation in her voice—only an eerie detachment. To her, the Hero was nothing more than a disposable tool.

Ryuu clenched his jaw.

"So this 'destiny' you keep preaching about... It's all a lie, isn't it?"

"Call it what you will," she said, her gaze steady. "The world requires balance. The Hero and the Demon King are essential forces in maintaining that balance."

A chilling realization settled over Ryuu.

"That's why you summoned two people instead of one. You never intended for me to be the Hero's companion—I was just a backup Demon King. You knew I'd be forced to seek shelter in the Demon King's Castle."

The goddess smirked. "Where else could you have gone?"

His hands trembled with fury. She had manipulated everything from the very beginning. Every step he had taken had been within the palm of her hand.

"I originally thought you'd remain a minor nuisance—a mere D-rank Demon King," she continued. "But you've surpassed expectations."

Ryuu's grip on his sword tightened. He had been nothing more than a pawn in the gods' game. He thought he had seized control of his own destiny, but the truth was far crueler.

"Goddess," he said, his voice cold and sharp. "I don't care how many Heroes you summon—I'll slaughter them all."

The goddess finally frowned, her amusement fading.

"You can do as you please. My only role is to ensure this world does not collapse. What happens beyond that is of no concern to me."

Ryuu's lips curled into a smirk. "Then I've decided. Not only will I unify this continent, but I'll also tear down the gates of the Divine Realm."

At those words, the goddess' expression darkened. A divine glow radiated behind her as two pairs of magnificent white wings unfolded from her back.

"Blasphemy," she said, her voice layered with celestial power. "You dare challenge the Divine Realm?"

Ryuu raised his sword, unshaken. "And what if I do?"

The goddess extended a hand, gathering holy energy. "The dignity of the Divine Realm cannot be sullied. You will share the fate of your predecessor!"

A blinding beam of divine power shot toward Ryuu, aimed directly at his heart.

"Susanoo!"

A massive skeletal structure formed around him, but the goddess' attack shredded through it instantly, as if it were paper.

Pain exploded in his chest. Blood sprayed into the air as he staggered backward, gasping. A gaping hole had been burned straight through his torso.

"Tch…!"

But before he could collapse, an ominous glow pulsed from within his body—his Demon King's Core had activated. Slowly, the wound began to close, his heart regenerating at an unnatural speed.

The goddess narrowed her eyes. "Still alive? Impressive."

Ryuu coughed, wiping blood from his mouth. "Hah… I guess even gods have rules. You wouldn't be running away otherwise."

Her expression tensed. "Hmph. You're more troublesome than I expected. But don't think this is over."

With that, divine light enveloped her form, and she vanished from sight.

Silence followed.

Galadriel rushed to Ryuu's side, casting healing magic over him. Her hands trembled slightly—she had witnessed the heavens themselves descend to erase Ryuu from existence… and yet, he still stood.

For the first time, the Elf Queen questioned her lifelong devotion to the gods.

"Sir Ryuu… your wounds…!"

"I'll live."

He reached into his system's inventory, retrieving a single Phoenix Tear and swallowing it. The moment it touched his tongue, warmth spread through his entire body, restoring him completely.

His strength surged once more.

Galadriel's eyes widened. "I… I don't understand. You should be dead."

Ryuu laughed. "A Demon King without a way to cheat death wouldn't be much of a king, would he?"

Galadriel bowed her head. She had no words.

"Shall we continue the chase?" she asked hesitantly.

Ryuu shook his head. "No. Haruto might've escaped for now, but I've already won. The next time we meet, I'll make sure there's no escape."

He had learned something far more valuable than killing a single Hero.

The Divine Realm was corrupt.

The gods were no different from tyrants, puppeteering the world from their thrones.

Ryuu clenched his fists. If the world needed a Demon King… then he would be one. But not the kind they expected.

He wouldn't just rule the continent—he would rule the gods themselves.

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Later...

Back at the elves' territory, Ryuu sat at the head of the table. The elders had gathered before him, awaiting his command.

He tapped his fingers against the armrest, his gaze sharp.

"It's time to remind this world what fear truly means."

The room fell silent.

"The elves have been divided for far too long. That ends today."

Galadriel stood beside him, her head held high. She had made her choice.

"From now on," Ryuu declared, "Elf Queen Galadriel will reside permanently in the Demon King's Castle."

Whispers rippled through the assembly. But no one dared to question him.

This was only the beginning.

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