Emperor’s Sword [EN]: Chapter 97

Like dogs being dragged around, we were led into a place one day, where we instinctively sensed a strange tension and exchanged glances. The massive stone structure had an open roof. Above, we could see the palace floating in the sky and the majestic Kundari [a mythical bird-like creature] circling it. As we entered, the place was filled with a boiling excitement, and explosive shouts merged, ringing in our ears.

“Hail the Demon Sovereign!” “May you rule all dimensions!” “May the Demon Realm last forever!” These were the kinds of shouts we heard.

It was a circular, tiered structure, and each step was packed with demons who rose all at once, creating a spectacle. There were easily over 50,000 of them, if not more.

Lucifer entered, flanked by the Great Demons and Asuras, and raised one arm to acknowledge the cheers of the crowd, a beautiful smile spreading across his face. His other hand held the ends of the chains that bound the Heavenly Demon and me. We moved as he led us.

When he sat in the prepared seat, the Great Demons took their places beside him in turn. Then, the endless cheering stopped as if by magic, and the arena fell silent for a moment.

“Begin,” an Asura shouted, following Lucifer’s command, and the 50,000 demons roared again. I couldn’t immediately figure out what he was planning to do this time. As if to answer my question, he spoke first to explain.

“This place was originally built for official duels between the Demon Gods. It’s a coliseum designed to improve their skills through competition. Of course, its purpose has changed now. It will be an interesting spectacle, so you can look forward to it.” Despite Lucifer’s explanation, I couldn’t think of anything special. However, why he had brought us here soon became clear. A coliseum. As he had said, this was a coliseum.

It had become a place to execute those classified as slaves, not Demon Gods. And the opponents were demonic beasts or Demon Gods, making it a place for a one-sided slaughter, not a duel. The demons were shouting with excitement, anticipating this. How could he do this?

If only I had the power… If only I had the power to punish these enemies… My desperate wish surged through me even more strongly.

“Begin the preparations,” Following Lucifer’s order, an Asura jumped into the coliseum. Though I couldn’t see them, he was speaking loudly to those waiting.

“Begin the duel!” The Demon Gods brought out the slaves bound in chains. They were treated like livestock being herded. Whips cracked at the slightest disruption in the line. I jumped to my feet. Those being herded into the coliseum were some of my most loyal subordinates.

Over a hundred warriors from the Heavenly Demon Sect and the Martial Alliance were mixed together, their heads bowed. What were they thinking as they looked at the remnants of the previous battles? I clenched my teeth. And I turned to look at Lucifer.

He was smiling, a cheerful laugh escaping him. The laugh was cold. I could feel the emptiness devoid of any soul, and the evil that pressed down on me.

They were looking at me from below. I was afraid to guess what their eyes were saying to me. I didn’t have the courage to meet their gaze. I was just a weak and powerless being, so please, don’t look at me. The purest tears of my life welled up in my eyes.

“Begin!” Following the Asura’s desperate cry, my subordinates were divided in half, and only half of them were made to stand before the Demon Gods. The rest were chained like dried fish around the outer edge of the coliseum.

“How is it? I’m giving you a chance to die cleanly. What greater mercy could there be? Those who refused will die in that state, and those who lose in battle will become food for the demonic beasts. Whether their souls become subordinate to the demonic beasts or not is none of my concern.” The first duel was about to begin. Among the first combatants, one person in particular filled my vision. It was Elder Ui.

The old man, with his graying hair and the marks of time, was smiling at me. He knelt and bowed his head, giving me his final respects. It was a small voice, but I could hear it clearly, distinct from the other noises.

“My disloyalty in not serving the Supreme One to the end… please forgive me. I will meet you in the next life and fulfill my unfulfilled loyalty. May… you… be… well… and… strong.” “Elder Ui…” My throat tightened. I felt I had to say something, but I didn’t know what to say. Even though the fight, the duel, had already begun, Elder Ui didn’t seem to want to get up.

“You bastard, get up! Get up and fight! Kill at least one of them before you die!” It was Hwan-no, shouting at the top of his lungs while chained to the outer edge of the coliseum. Then, one of the Rakshasa [a type of demon] kicked Hwan-no in the face. Seeing him fall, I clenched my fists and rose to my feet. But I soon sank back down. Lucifer had tightened the chain he was holding.

The people mixed in with the crowd were all too familiar and friendly faces. As the duel began, some turned their heads, unable to bear to watch, while others desperately widened their eyes, trying to capture the last moments of their loved ones.

Even though they were masters of martial arts, they were nothing more than toys to the Rakshasa. With such a clear difference in skill, they were mocked and ridiculed before meeting their end. Blood flowed, soaking the floor of the coliseum, and ragged breaths could be heard intermittently.

They were dying, their heads cut off, their waists twisted, their hearts ripped out. But they were not even allowed to enjoy the peaceful moment of death. Demonic beasts, which had appeared from nowhere, were dismembering my subordinates who had lost their fighting power, one by one. Seeing Hergon wiping the blood from his mouth with a satisfied look, I felt a fire rising within me.

“Why isn’t this one fighting? He’s not even trying to attack.” The tip of a Rakshasa’s foot dug into Elder Ui’s side as he lay prostrate.

Thwack! He flipped over in that state, spinning in the air before falling to the ground. Even before he hit the ground, the kicking continued.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Even though he could have killed him instantly, he didn’t. He enjoyed breaking bones and tearing flesh, laughing mockingly. Elder Ui’s face was a mess. He was so broken that there was not a single part of his body that was intact, and blood poured out from the torn and split wounds.

“This one’s a weakling.” The Rakshasa soon turned his body towards another target that was still alive. Then, as if waiting for it, a Ragranda [a type of demonic beast] rushed in.

The beast grabbed Elder Ui’s broken bones with both hands and tore them apart, making more blood flow, then buried its head and drank it.

The hairless beast’s head turned red in an instant as it continued to do this as if possessed. Elder Ui was still alive. His tenacious life force was something I resented. Please, just die, Elder Ui.

“Uwaaaah!” Hwan-no’s scream echoed throughout the circular coliseum. He was furious. The fury he felt was the same as all of us. The Mad Demon Lord, Yulgeuk, the Palace Lord of the Divine Beast, the Dog King, Zhuge Chohong, and So-gun… they were all weeping and trembling with rage. But that was all. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the power to change this miserable reality.

“Like a madman.” Crack! The sound of Hwan-no’s neck breaking in the Rakshasa’s grip while he was chained. Hwan-no struggled, then finally stuck out his tongue and went limp. The Rakshasa detached Hwan-no from the chain and threw him into the middle of the coliseum. I saw a Hergon rush in and tear apart his body. I jumped to my feet again.

“Stop… this… now!” I looked directly at Lucifer. He raised one hand, which was propping up his chin, and waved it dismissively, as if annoyed.

My body was bound by some force and floated into the air. I gathered all my energy to resist, but it was useless. Not only could I not gather my strength, but even if I had, it was not the kind of power I could overcome. I gasped for breath, and my whole body was numb.

“Heh…” “You slaves! Didn’t you ask to be killed? Don’t make my mercy worthless. You must accept this moment with a sacred mindset. When you refused me, you should have been prepared for even worse. To not even be able to accept this… humans are such…” He clicked his tongue.

“I wish they would hurry up and finish. It’s so boring,” said the Heavenly Demon.

“You think so too? Enough.” At Lucifer’s words, the movements in the coliseum stopped as if frozen.

“Bally.” “Yes.” “You handle them all at once. I’m bored and tired of this.” “Understood.” I saw the evil Great Demon Bally rise to his feet. He took a step with a confident look, and at that moment, his body began to change. Standing in mid-air, he spread his arms wide and shouted loudly.

Black currents of energy were released from his feet and head simultaneously, beginning to swirl. The currents quickly covered his entire body. In that state, he moved to the upper part of the coliseum.

I was still in the air, so I could clearly see him passing by me.

Whoosh! As if a wind had swept through, the black currents quickly scattered in all directions, revealing his appearance to everyone. His black hair was loose, flowing down past his ankles. He had a new suit of armor on his body, with a blue aura swirling in the black.

As he landed on the ground, the Demon Gods and demonic beasts stopped what they were doing and gathered in one place. In the coliseum, there was only him, the dead bodies, and the chained Asuras. An excessive tension began to flow through the arena.

“Bally has the most cruel personality among the Great Demons. He doesn’t give death easily and knows how to inflict pain very well. It will be worth watching. Baalzebub, you’ve clashed with him the most, so you know him well, right?” “That disgusting bastard.” “Pacheon, you come down here and enjoy it slowly too.” At Lucifer’s gesture, I was dragged back to my original spot, powerless. I couldn’t understand the way he used his power at all. Was he controlling everything with just his will?

“Resist. If you have the power to defeat me, trample me and continue your lives. I will give you a gift so that the memory of your last moments will be even clearer. Endure it if you can.” Bally, standing with his legs apart, slowly extended one arm forward. Then, the chains that had been binding the people gathered on one side all disappeared. As the chains that had been restricting their physical activity disappeared, they slowly rose with determined expressions.

Relatively skilled individuals like the Mad Demon Lord stepped forward, surrounding Bally, and the rest surrounded them in layers. All of their faces were filled with the desire to show a dignified appearance until the end, and they were filled with concrete anger and hostility towards the Demon Realm.

Can we say we are alive just because our hearts are beating? Can we say we are alive just because we writhe and struggle in pain? Even if we tremble with anger and say our oaths are sacred, if we live forgetting that unforgettable resentment, we are as good as dead.

“I will not forget today’s resentment. I will engrave it in my soul so that it will never be erased. I pray, according to our wishes, grant us one more chance, heavens. Everyone, listen to my words. Death cannot divide us. Our oath is eternal, and as long as our souls exist, we will not coexist with the Demon Realm.” I said that in a loud voice. As if that was the trigger, all the subordinates in the coliseum poured out their oaths, and the Heavenly Demon did the same.

“In the name of the god who governs eternity, I declare and seal this oath, may we keep it until our souls are extinguished.” Lucifer did not stop us. I stood up, looking down at the coliseum, and clenched my fist.

“Interesting, interesting.” Lucifer only repeated these words. Then, he gave an order to Bally in a slightly heightened voice.

“Execute it now,” Bally said, his gaze sweeping around with an arrogant air.

“Pathetic humans. Even if you die and are reborn a hundred times, you won’t be able to defeat me alone.” “Die!” The signal came as intangible swords bloomed brilliantly from the hands of the Mad Demon Lord and the Divine Beast Palace Lord. United, they launched a fierce attack on Bally. Bally, arms crossed, remained utterly relaxed.

In a flash, Bally’s body leaped into the air. He was so fast that it was impossible to follow with the eye, but I reflexively looked up. However, his body was nowhere to be seen.

Swish, swish, swish. No, he wasn’t in the sky but weaving through the arena. He seemed to be moving through the crowd, but it was impossible to pinpoint his exact location.

It wasn’t that he hadn’t soared into the sky, but that he moved so quickly they hadn’t seen him come back down. The subordinates were flustered. Even with their eyes wide open, they couldn’t track the enemy, which was incredibly frustrating. However, if they attacked recklessly, they risked harming each other.

“Gasp.” “Agh.” Small commotions arose here and there. Without exception, everyone’s hands went to their ears.

“Hahahaha. Weak, too weak.” It was Bally’s voice. He stood in his original spot, spreading his hands wide.

Thud, thud. What fell from his hands to the floor were ears. Human ears. In the short time he had moved, he had stolen one ear from each of the fifty or so warriors.

“The power of darkness is strong, deep, and mysterious. It is beyond your wisdom to comprehend.” At that moment, the Mad Demon Lord’s shout followed.

“Even if we cannot win, do not give up!” Those in the back leaped into the air and moved forward, while those in the front advanced toward the enemy. Everyone seemed to know it was their last attack, giving it their all. In contrast, Bally only made a playful gesture, gathering his middle finger and thumb and flicking them.

However, even with that small movement, an illusion unfolded as if a huge barrier was spreading around him. The wall of wind that surged from his feet, like a folding screen, blazed fiercely and gradually turned deep blue. Despite everyone’s attacks, he stood firm, unbudging. He was unaffected, unyielding like a mountain that had stood for ten thousand years.

“The coming and going of pain will be like lightning.” Flash! The barrier expanded. It was a blindingly powerful flash of light. None of the subordinates caught in the afterglow of the light moved.

“Kyak.” The first scream came from the very back. Soon, they all burst into flames at once. Blue flames flickered all over their bodies. Yet, their bodies didn’t actually burn; they only remained in agony, not turning to ash.

“Why?” To my question, the Heavenly Demon answered.

“That flame is a crystallization of demonic power. So, it causes pain but doesn’t destroy. Once trapped, there’s no way out. Their will must be half-broken by the extreme pain. It seems he’s set on this, so it’s unfortunate for them.” I see. Do I have to just watch them writhe?

Clink. I grabbed the chain around my neck and yanked it hard. It was to break free from Lucifer’s grasp and run to my subordinates. However, this gesture was futile. Lucifer’s next words made me even angrier.

“Stay still. Watch the end of your subordinates. Engrave their writhing in pain clearly in your eyes. Witness the breaking of the weak human will and never forget it.” “You demons. Kill them, kill them now. Kill them quickly,” I shouted with all my might. And I rushed toward Lucifer without thinking.

“Cough, cough.” My body once again escaped the realm of my will. My limbs twisted, and thin streams of blood flowed from my nose and mouth. Lucifer spoke without even looking at me.

“Don’t struggle. The more you do, the uglier you become. Look at Baalzebub. He doesn’t waver. He endures everything. He overcomes shame and humiliation. You are still… younger and weaker than him in every way.” I looked down again. From Bally’s palms, whitish things began to be released. They looked like threads, or just simple air currents, or even like living snakes moving. Dozens, hundreds of them, all penetrated everyone’s bodies without any resistance.

“Desire death. If any of you can endure until the third time, I will grant you a painless death.” “Uwaaaah!” Everyone screamed with all their might. Even the Mad Demon Lord and Yulgeuk, who had relatively excellent pain tolerance, had their mouths wide open. My body trembled. If I had killed them earlier, they wouldn’t have had to suffer this pain. I regretted it. I saw So-gun’s body collapsing. He sat down on the floor, his mouth wide open, screaming. He begged to be killed, saying it was too painful, and sometimes called out to me.

“Please… please, just kill them. I beg you, please.” I knelt before Lucifer and pleaded. However, his gaze remained as cold as ever.

“Pacheon, it’s no use. Just endure a little longer. Just a little more.” The Heavenly Demon’s knees were soaked in blood. It was blood from his fingers digging into his palms. I looked back again with a hollow feeling. Already more than half were sprawled on the floor. They were foaming at the mouth, bleeding, and writhing. I shouted at them.

“Kill each other and end the pain!” They didn’t seem to hear my shout at all, as they didn’t move. Among them, only the Mad Demon Lord moved slowly. He reached out a trembling hand to Yulgeuk next to him. It was then.

“Oh, no, that won’t do. That’s not what I want.” Shushushushu. Another property was being added to the air currents connecting Bally and the others. It was a deep blue energy that looked like blue water was dripping from it.

“Keuhuk.” The Mad Demon Lord could no longer move his arm forward. He stopped in place and immediately dropped it weakly to the floor. Deprived of his will, there was nothing he could do. The pain would drive him further into despair. And perhaps he was somewhat relieved that the death he had longed for since who knows when was right in front of him.

My chest was hot, and my blood vessels were pounding. I want to sleep. I want to be released from this tiresome reality, even for a moment, and fall asleep.

If that wish is great, I wish that at least the pain they are suffering would be vividly conveyed to me. So that I can find some solace in it. In this space where even death is forced, where only the enemies are great, we are like insects, so please just give us death. Even if we die as weaklings, just let us die. We don’t want anything, just let us die.

“How is it, do you want to die? If you want to taste sweet death, kneel. And praise the Demon Realm. At that moment, death will visit suddenly, as if it had been hiding.” No one reacted. They seemed unable to hear his words because of the pain.

“The level is so high that even their minds are going haywire.” One of the Great Demons said that, but I didn’t confirm who it was. Other words followed.

“The end is obvious.” “It’s clear that no one can endure it, so what can they do?” “Boring.” Lucifer must have heard the Great Demons’ voices.

Yet, he didn’t stop it, nor did he agree with the Great Demons’ complaints. He was just watching with an interested expression.

“Now, the final third. Even your souls will be startled. If you’re lucky, you might just die.” He raised both hands high in that state. Then, the subordinates hanging in the air floated up. Light began to flash in the space where they were, and it passed through their bodies without any resistance. Meanwhile, the space itself seemed distorted. Accordingly, their entire bodies were folded or stretched out haphazardly.

Their bones didn’t break, and blood didn’t flow. Even their faces were distorted, so it was hard to tell what their expressions were. They bumped into each other, and when they did, they twisted their bodies like stretched taffy.

“As expected.” “Nothing special.” After the Great Demons’ jeers, the Heavenly Demon’s words followed.

“It will end now. It will end soon.” The surroundings gradually became quiet. Even the demons who had been so enthusiastic and frantic at first were now quietly watching the arena.

“It’s enough now. Release them.” Lucifer opened his tightly closed mouth. Bally spoke with a slightly dissatisfied tone.

“Isn’t this too weak?” “Do as you’re told.” “Understood.” As Bally released his power, the subordinates’ bodies fell to the floor with a thud. None of them moved. They were only panting, groaning in pain, or moaning.

“Release the demonic beasts.” My head automatically turned to Lucifer. Once the order was given from his mouth, it would surely be carried out. No matter what I said in protest, it wouldn’t change. Bally was about to return to his spot but turned back and waved his hand slightly.

Shushushung. The air currents flowing from his hand became sharp rays of light and swept across the floor. Only after he passed through the air again and returned to his spot did I realize what he had just done. Everyone’s arms were separated from their bodies. To do that again to those who were barely alive, only twitching.

“Hoo, hoo.” I caught my breath and turned my head back sharply.

“I will designate that guy as my opponent.” I pointed at Bally with my fingertip and said that to Lucifer.

“Have you decided?” “Yes.” “Good, so be it.” I had the illusion that Bally’s black eyes flashed for a moment.

“You’ve designated me?” Anyway, all of these guys are too much for me. If possible, I want to inflict even a small wound on that guy named Bally with my own hands. Even a ten-thousandth of the pain my subordinates suffered, with my own hands, with my own hands…

I glared at Bally’s eyes and then turned my gaze to the arena. The demonic beasts that had poured out were tearing apart and munching on the subordinates writhing on the floor. The Mad Demon Lord struggled to lift his head and looked at me.

I wiped away the tears flowing down my face with the back of my hand, trying not to miss his last moment. A demonic beast was clinging to his side, tearing at him. He was still looking at me until his head drooped weakly. He died. The Mad Demon Lord was dead. Farewell… Mad Demon Lord. Rest in peace in a world without any more pain… Rest in peace. Someday, we will meet again. Someday…

The demonic beasts were clinging to So-gun, who was lying flat, to Yulgeuk, who was twisting and writhing, to Gae-wang, who was exhaling a long breath and then laughing, to Muyeong-jon, who had a bitter sneer, and to Ja-un, who was wriggling to get closer to the person he loved, without exception. Je-gal Cho-hong’s beautiful body was also damaged, and one of So-wang’s thick, sturdy legs was swallowed into a demonic beast’s mouth.

The flames of life were going out. It was the death they had been waiting for, but why were tears welling up in my eyes? I wanted to kill all the demonic beasts. I wanted to slaughter all those who belonged to the Demon Realm, without exception.

God, if you truly exist and if you are truly a being of justice, give me strength. And let me punish them, those demons, with my own hands. For this, I will not refuse anything.

“Uwaaaah…” I tore at my hair and screamed. If I didn’t do that, my head would explode and I would die.