I Became a Childhood Friend With the Villainous Saintess - Chapter 171



171 – The Meeting (6)

It’s stagnant.

Gamigin’s question struck a chord somewhere in my heart.

It was a question that often bothered me in the past. The question of who I am.

Am I ultimately a Korean whose name I can’t even remember, or am I Rajen Bertus, a character in a novel?

… … Maybe I am the usurper who stole Rajen Bertus’ life?

I’ve been worrying about that for quite some time.

Whenever I forgot, it would come to mind before I fell asleep and disturb my mind.

But now I had come to a firm conclusion.

“What’s the point of saying your identity or anything? I should have already introduced myself. I am the sword of the Grand Duke of Illencia, Rajen Bertus.”

It was ridiculous to even worry about it in the first place.

Here, I live as Rajen Bertus. Even when I die, I will die as Rajen Bertus.

And the mission I think of is ultimately to live with the sword of Sirien.

Since my life and goals had not changed, it didn’t matter one bit what the origin was.

I say this with confidence: I am Rajen Bertus. I have no other identity.

If my soul belongs to someone else, it would be my own decision to protect Sirien.

If that were the case, I could have given up my soul a hundred times over.

I am that kind of person.

“Rather, when you say it like that, I’m curious. What on earth do you think of me that makes you ask such a question?”

“Hmm. Baal is watching you. I know you’re strong for a human. Eligos wasn’t a weak demon lord by any means. But objectively, you don’t seem like something Baal would be afraid of. Baal doesn’t even pay attention to Barbatos.”

“… … Baal me? Since when has he been like this?”

“Well, I don’t know about that. Our sense of time is a bit different from that of humans. But I think it’s been a few years. It’s not like Baal told me everything.”

An unexpected name came out of Gamigin.

Baal is interested in me? Up until now, Baal and I have never had any contact.

Baal should have remained silent until the end of the original story.

Especially since it was a few years ago, long before I had made a name for myself in the Empire. And even a little before that, I hadn’t even reached the rank of Sword Master.

No matter how much I thought about it, there was nothing Baal, who was trapped in the Demon Realm, could be interested in me for.

“Now answer my question too. How did you know about Licia?”

“It wouldn’t be strange if there was at least one record of you left in the Empire.”

“No way. Do you think I would be fooled by such naive words?”

“It’s not a lie. There are many old records preserved in the Hybras’ archives.”

“Well, let’s say that’s true for now.”

I was confident in Gamigin’s words.

An attitude that doesn’t even think that one is wrong.

Even though he said that it was in the Hybras’s archives… … Doesn’t this mean that he was certain that they wouldn’t know about Lycia based on the Empire’s information alone?

For something like that to be possible, there must be someone within the empire who can act as an advisor.

It seemed that sooner or later the empire would have to do some internal cleaning.

“Was it Baal’s order that you approached me?”

“That’s not possible. Baal’s instructions aren’t that specific. Do this. Don’t do that. Just like that? And yet, strangely enough, they fit together so well.”

“It sounds like you’re the one with the intention.”

“That’s right. Baal isn’t my protector, is he? I have to find my own way to survive. I wanted to know what Baal’s plan was. I also wondered what kind of person you are to care so much.”

Seeing you say that, it seems like there’s something about Baal.

The Demon King of the first place was still trapped in a corner of the Demon World.

It is not well known and there is no significant movement to the outside world.

Edwin also didn’t remember Baal very well, so he had no information for me.

I asked point blank.

“What kind of demon lord is Baal?”

“What? Are you saying you’re interested in another Demon Lord while standing in front of me?”

“Didn’t we decide not to do that anymore?”

“I didn’t make that promise. I’ve never met a man who was this firm with me before, so I’m a little nervous.”

It’s annoying.

Gamigin wasn’t the type of person who would be easygoing to begin with, but does he have to keep doing this tiresome thing?

The Crown Prince also asked me to do something.

I just wanted to throw it all away.

Won’t there be a better time next time?

“Expression. It’s so obvious. Even if you hate it, is there really a need to show it like that?”

“I have a lover. He is a very precious and lovable person.”

“Ha. You’re a romantic, despite your looks. Well, that’s okay.”

Gamigin quickly turned his gaze.

“You’re not suited to this kind of conversation in the first place. I don’t know if it’s the Grand Duke of Illencia, but you’re easy to read. It seems like you know that too, and you keep your mouth shut when it’s disadvantageous. But silence isn’t your only right.”

“… … .”

“Let me tell you one thing first. Licia is a demon who was born less than 200 years ago. So, it’s a lie that there were records in the Hybras Library. Rather, it’s just that you’ve revealed your thoughts. If it were the Grand Duke of Illencia, he would never have answered like that.”

There was a thorn in the words that Gamigin uttered.

My lies don’t seem to have any effect.

I guess I should have spoken to Sirien when he was there.

As for the information about Licia, I found out from the original work, so I brought it out when I was alone.

In the original, it was clearly said that they had a very old and close relationship.

If we say ‘very old’ based on Kamigin, we can’t help but guess that it was much longer than 200 years.

The original didn’t seem to be of any help to me, then or now.

“But animal instincts aren’t bad. Or maybe I’m just lucky? I liked your question. So I’ll give you a special answer this time.”

“That doesn’t mean I have any intention of answering any further.”

“I don’t even want to.”

Gamigin chuckled.

“Baal… … is on a different level from the other demon lords. I don’t know how much time has passed in your time units, but even by my standards, it was a very long time ago. I saw Baal’s power when Agares and Vassago were imprisoned.”

* * *

Black darkness spread like fog.

The great falcon that Agares had been proud of fell with its wings broken, and Vassago was forced to kneel on his proud knees.

The demons they had been commanding had already lost their will to fight and had put down their weapons.

Baal spoke in a flat tone.

“It was a good choice not to challenge me, Gamigin. You are not fit to choose an uncertain revolution. Knowing your place and role is a great virtue.”

“Ugh, ugh… … ughhh!”

“Look. How miserable is your life, refusing the fate that has been given to you. You are still too precious to lose. I am glad of your choice.”

Gamigin couldn’t understand what he saw.

I knew Baal was strong.

An overwhelming force, as if a high mountain were right before your eyes.

Because no demon lord I’ve ever seen gave me such a sense of emptiness as Baal.

But this is something different.

Baal had more than just strength.

Agares and Vassago were never Demon Kings who would be so helpless.

Moreover, it was impossible for them to lose by chance.

With a single light gesture, the flow of magical power was ‘accidentally’ entangled.

Agares’ falcon flew down on its own, its wings broken, and their attacks miraculously deflected Baal.

In Gamigin’s view, all Baal did was take a step forward and wave his hand lightly.

The second and third place demon kings suffered a crushing defeat due to that insignificant action.

Baal looked at Gamigin with a blank expression.

The words are added as if to relieve her suffering.

“Don’t try to understand it. What was meant to happen happened, so the process doesn’t really matter.”

“Me, me… … what happens?”

“Why should you feel fear? I will not infringe upon your freedom, nor will I take your life first. Your task is simple. You will only have to grant me a few small requests.”

Bam. Vasago’s neck was snapped by Baal’s hand.

That was the end of it. Baal dealt with the two demon lords as easily as harvesting seeds he had sown.

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The losers were unable to face death and were imprisoned deep in the demon world.

A castle was built on top of the bodies of the two demon lords.

The name was Pandemonium. Baal was locked in a castle as large as a human’s and did not come out.

So much time has passed.

Occasionally, some curious demon would challenge Baal, but Baal would respond by adding living corpses to the castle’s dungeons.

Baal left only one word for Gamigin.

“Go back. Go and enjoy your rights. Until I come looking for you someday.”