Chapter 439
The b.a.s.t.a.r.d was chattering nonstop. It was slandering me, and it sounded quite plausible for something that was made up on the spot. It had completely turned to Entegasto’s side, but it knew that this choice wouldn’t be its lifeline.
Its previously relaxed expression had long since disappeared. It seemed desperate, as if it was sensing its dark future. The more it talked, the more its face seemed to sink into a swamp.
Meanwhile, I had been silent since I asked for the execution of Entegasto. Entegasto was a card that was hard to give up. Simply by considering its accomplishments, it was the one who stood at the forefront in the old battlefield against Saint Jayden, the Great Red, as a vanguard. Also, it could overwhelm me if it recovered from its injury.
Therefore, it would be difficult for Doom Kaos to abandon such a guy. I had once faced the same dilemma as Doom Kaos was experiencing. That was when Jessica, Gillian’s wife, had stabbed me in the back. Back then, I forgave her even though she betrayed the club and me. Doom Kaos would be in the same scenario as Entegasto still had a lot of use left.
[...That was Doom Man’s one-man show, Master. Doom Man should be punished severely. The same goes for Lu-neah, who cooperated with Doom Man. I take this opportunity to apologize once again to Doom Entegasto.]
[That is it. (╥﹏╥) Please punish us all, Almighty Master.]
[I, Lu-neah, am not qualified to be a lord along with Doom Man.]
The b.a.s.t.a.r.d tried to sink me down with it like a water demon, but I remained still. After all, the judge was the master of the throne, Doom Kaos. It had to be aware that time had been turned back and the conversation I had with Yeon-Hee. In other words, it knew why I had no choice but to turn back time.
If that was not the case, then it was the biggest fool in the world. It wouldn’t deserve its current t.i.tle. Well, that wasn’t a bad scenario either…
***
Doom Kaos’s power made the place solemn, and everyone was waiting for the judgment. Entegasto stood upright, and Lunea was floating quietly without fluttering its wings too much.
Mount and Caso were carefully gathering their strength. It seemed like they were preparing for what was about to happen, as if they remembered the time when Entegasto tried to execute me a while ago.
[Our Almighty Master will now judge. We lords should hold our breath.]
Then, it sent another message immediately.
[Doom Entegasto is…]
[...ordered to join the battlefield instantly.]
Lunea turned pale even though it was the one that delivered the message itself. The b.a.s.t.a.r.d turned to me and said.
[I knew this would happen! Doom Entegasto must have regained his position as a vanguard! I, Lu-neah, and Entegasto have won. Hehehe~ It’s too late for Doom Man to regret!]
[By the way, I can’t believe how dumb you are! Did you not expect this to happen? You underestimated Lu-neah’s ability!]
[But don’t worry. Master won’t give you a death sentence either.]
[Doom Arukuda will come down soon. Do you remember what you did to Lu-neah last time? Doom Arukuda will probably do the same to you.]
The b.a.s.t.a.r.d’s voice rose in joy, but I was not disturbed at all. It was too preoccupied with mocking me without realizing what kind of atmosphere Entegasto was being sucked into…
A few seconds later, the b.a.s.t.a.r.d finally turned its head toward Entegasto, who was in shock. From the way it looked up at the curtain, it was obvious that it was in disbelief by the verdict. Doom Kaos seemed to have issued an order to Entegasto, and it appeared to be extremely difficult, with no certainty of life or death.
I looked up at the curtain. I was waiting just in case, but there was no sign of Doom Arukuda revealing itself.
[...Before Doom Entegasto leaves for the battlefield…]
[The Master ordered Doom Entegasto to hand over the last volume of the Book of Death to Doom Man…]
The b.a.s.t.a.r.d said with a ghastly pale face. Finally, Entegasto accepted the result and lowered its head. Lunea’s face was so distorted to the point where it couldn’t be worse. Even though it had to fix its expression quickly, it couldn’t afford to do so. Only after the b.a.s.t.a.r.d looked at me did it barely manage to fix its expression. It had a hollow smile, uncomfortably unnatural.
[Umm… Mmm… Lu-neah is very bewildered. I am not sure what to say to be forgiven. I won’t ask for forgiveness.]
[Instead, Lu-neah will dedicate all of Lu-neah’s to you.]
[There is a ‘memory warehouse’ in Lu-neah’s homeland. Advanced tribes like Lu-neah can share memories and emotions with each other.]
[Please listen to the end. I am aware that Doom Man knows about the memory warehouse. However, Doom Man only knows of its existence, not how to acquire it. I am certain.]
[If you acquire it, you can enslave Lu-neah. My tribe will be a bonus.]
[Doom Man’s human corps seem to have excellent information, but think about it. If you add Lu-neah’s information on top of it, your power will grow tremendously.]
[Please… Okay? Please… Please defend me. Our Master will listen if you speak up for me.]
The speed of the messages pouring out now was the fastest the b.a.s.t.a.r.d had ever shown.
[Lu-neah’s judgment will begin now.]
[Please… Please! I beg you. You can make Lu-neah your slave. Will you really feel better if Lu-neah dies? Really? Is that what you actually want?]
[Before I am sentenced to death… Please… Aaah… No… No…]
It was entertaining to see its expression changing. Then, it soon stiffened.
[I, Lu-neah, should…]
[Join the battlefield immediately!]
[Doom Entegasto was ordered to break the barrier of the Old One’s power in Elsland. I, Lu-neah, am ordered to kill the Spirit King by mobilizing my entire clan!]
[Regardless of victory or defeat, this will be a great help in the future battles Doom Man must fight.]
The message did not end there.
[Also, the Almighty Master has decided to cancel one order in order to console Doom Man’s efforts. The promised reward will be given though. Doom Man must repay the grace given by our Master.]
[You have completed the order ‘Speed Up the Occupation.’]
[Please specify the location where you would like to build the Demon Castle.]
[* Do not rush. The time to specify is not limited. Please consider the best location of the Demon Castle to benefit your human corps.]
Originally, I was a part of the Old One’s side, but then I switched to Doom Kaos’s. I had been growing steadily. Now, further growth was a.s.sured through the trait Extractor.
Moreover, I had recently gained the power of Time Reversal. Perhaps because of that, I felt an intense consciousness of whether I would disobey Doom Kaos’s judgment. I didn’t expect it would cancel one of its orders and still reward me. Indeed, my strong request for Doom Entegasto’s execution had not been in vain.
[Please specify the location where you would like to build the Demon Castle.]
Look. A tempting message flashed before my eyes. It indicated that Doom Kaos considered me a significant subordinate. It was the gesture of Doom Kaos that insisted I should not change my mind from now on.
(* Your Demon Castle will be protected by your Master’s power.)
I could now provide a safe zone for the Awakened, and I believed the Demon Castle would play its role against any transcendent attack. When I lowered my head towards the curtain, something rushed towards me from the direction where Entegasto was.
Sheeeeek-!
It was a power that the lower lords could never withstand, but Entegasto didn’t use its full power. Although I needed to raise my Strength to the Overlord section, I would have had to activate the Man Who Overcomes Adversity if Entegasto used its full strength.
It was the last volume of the Book of Death.
[*Inventory]
[‘Book of Death Volume 3’ has been added.]
Entegasto turned with its face full of rage and walked away. The gate quickly opened and closed. Now, only the b.a.s.t.a.r.d was left on the stand. However, it just stared blankly at the spot where Entegasto disappeared without any special reaction. It seemed to have decided to complain to me.
[I, Lu-neah, am overwhelmed with simply blocking the entrance to the spirit world. But killing the Spirit King? Mobilizing my entire clan? That is basically ordering us to gloriously self-immolate ourselves in flames.]
[If I, Lu-neah, and all my children are exterminated, it will be a headache for Doom Man as well.]
[The atmosphere is built up now, Doom Man. Please tell our Master just one thing. I will never forget what you will do for me. Take my memory warehouse and take me, Lu-neah, and all my children as slaves.]
[We will serve you all our life. Devoting my sincere loyalty to you~]
I ignored it. The b.a.s.t.a.r.d’s desperate gaze began to fade slowly. Eventually, it turned into a face full of malice, like how the Guides had acted.
[I guess I have no choice. I gave you multiple chances, but you ignored them, okay?]
[?(?`н′?)? This is not the end for Doom Lu-neah and Doom Entegasto. Doom Arukuda will also not look kindly on Doom Man. Haha… You understand what Lu-neah is saying, right?]
[You will have to live being conscious of us nonstop. Like a fool.]
[I will see you next time then.]
When the b.a.s.t.a.r.d was about to leave following Entegasto, its eyes bulged out.
[Doom Man’s priests, Osiris and Caliber, have completed the ritual ‘Mammonism.’]
[Wish: Allow Doom Man’s priestess, Mary’s ‘challenge.’]
[What…what the h.e.l.l have you been doing?]
[Your Master has responded.]
[Your priest, Mary, has obtained the ‘challenge (Doom Mary).’]
It was from the stand, which became empty after Entegasto left.
Whoosh-!
The s.p.a.ce ripped open and Yeon-Hee was bounced out from there. I immediately lunged and pulled her shoulder toward me. Although she was in an unfamiliar place, she did not seem fl.u.s.tered.
She silently mouthed ‘Thank you,’ then landed on the ground. Then, she turned her head and murmured quietly, “Are you ready? You piece of s.h.i.+t.”