The Protagonists of the Novel Escaped

The gray of the end began to lift.

Time in the Demon Realm, a world where all flows had completely stopped, started to flow again.

It was a strange phenomenon.

A change triggered by the resurrection of Death’s Disaster.

The angels dispatched to the Demon Realm hurriedly reported the anomaly. At the news that the end of the world had been postponed, Gael lowered his head with a bitter smile tinged with grief.

“Beatrice… Is this the outcome you desired?”

To sacrifice oneself to save the world.

Such noble sacrifice suited the pure Saintess.

Finally, the world freed from gray would return to its former state. The postponement achieved by the sacrifices of the Saintess Party would last for hundreds of years to come.

A girl with beautiful pink hair like peony flowers.

He briefly expressed his condolences while recalling the Saintess who had manifested the miracle of the Saintess.

“The Hero Maximilian activated the power of the Holy Sword and sealed the Demon King’s Castle. The Second Saintess, who embraced Death’s Disaster, and the heroes who have turned into its minions can never escape from the Demon King’s Castle.”

“…What about Maximilian?”

“Despite being in a dying state from exhausting all his power, he continues to maintain the seal. He has even used his lifespan as a price to activate the flames of the Holy Sword, so he won’t hold out for much longer.”

“……”

He squeezed out all his strength.

He paid with his own lifespan as a price for the seal.

Thus, Maximilian remained at the Demon King’s Castle until the end.

He intended to continue the seal by sacrificing himself, even squeezing out his last breath so that the thorough isolation of the Demon King’s Castle would continue even if he died.

“…What a futile result.”

Sigh.

The sole deity seated on the throne grasped the handle tightly and muttered.

A deep regret lingered.

He had favored Beatrice more than any other Saintess.

“Though a tragedy of the resurrection of Death’s Disaster has occurred… the end of the world has stopped!”

“The noble dedication and sacrifice of the noble Saintess and Heroes will remain eternal. Isn’t that the greatest glory to humans living transient lives?”

The seraph guarding the sole deity.

The messenger of the holy, who stood beside the Seraph Belashiel in the heavens.

The archangels, possessing pure divinity and beautiful appearance, spoke in seemingly flattering voices.

The thorn in his eye had vanished.

The human girl, who received her mother’s favor without knowing her place, had fallen by herself.

The vile apostate who betrayed her beloved mother and resurrected the Death’s Disaster. Though the archangels spoke of noble sacrifice and dedication, in their hearts, they cast cold contempt toward Beatrice.

“It’s fortunate that Maximilian, who had fallen to apostasy, managed to fulfill his duty in the end. By utilizing the powers of the Holy Sword to seal it, we no longer need to worry about Death’s Disaster for hundreds of years.”

The end of the world lifted.

The Death’s Disaster summoned by the Saintess Party was also sealed.

Countless crises had emerged so far, but they had finally been overcome. The archangels of the heavens celebrated their victory by bestowing glory not on the Saintess Party that chose sacrifice, but on the sole deity.

“It’s not too late…! We must save the Second Saintess trapped in the grip of the disaster!”

Just when the archangels were intoxicated with the ecstasy of victory,

A middle-aged man dressed in plain vestments cried out in desperation.

Boerun.

The leader of the Holy Kingdom pleaded with the sole deity and archangels for Beatrice’s salvation.

“The Second Saintess chose a holy sacrifice representing all believers of the world.”

“Dedicating and sacrificing is the most noble faith you humans can offer to the deity. Have you forgotten that? Beatrice has magnificently fulfilled her role as Saintess.”

The father’s heartfelt plea to save his daughter resounded desperately.

But the only return was the cold response of the archangels urging sacrifice.

“But…!”

If they liberated Beatrice from Death’s Disaster, the just-retreated gray of the end would threaten to engulf the world again.

Also—

Countless sacrifices would follow in the process of opposing the Death’s Disaster and its minions.

Reversing the fundamental order.

A claim not worth discussing.

To say they’d risk the world again to save the Saintess who chose sacrifice of her own accord? The resurrection of Death’s Disaster was indeed an unpleasant outcome. However, they had successfully removed the end of the world, albeit imperfectly, and thus achieved their goal.

As the archangels chastised him with cold voices, Boerun swallowed his words and bowed his head. He recognized that he had uttered an unreasonable demand.

“Boerun.”

Gael, who had remained silent in his throne, spoke.

At that, the gaze of the sovereign and archangels turned to the sole deity.

“Gather the forces of the sole deity. I hereby declare a holy war.”

A holy war.

He commands a righteous battle in the name of the deity.

When Gael commanded the holy war, the faces of the archangels paled in shock. Boerun, who had pleaded for salvation, also appeared dazed, unaware the sole deity would command a holy war.

*

War is the most threatening calamity among those that threaten humanity.

It thrust countless humans into Hell.

But at the same time, it captivated many humans with the atrocities of war.

The foundation that has shaped human history has always been war. Although the Earth Mother drove away all Creator Deities and Disaster Gods to usher in the era of the sole deity, the world was still governed by war.

“…Lierre.”

Edanant uttered ominous words.

At that, particles of disaster scattered around began to swirl frantically.

-It seems they are moved to offer a new tribute in gratitude for the merciful consideration of war? Very well. I always welcome offerings that are brought forth.

Red hair symbolizing bloodshed and disaster.

Eyes as black as human greed.

And the appearance of a young girl draped in the cruelty of innocence.

War.

The source that has received both reverence and hatred from humans.

When Lierre responded to the call and made her appearance, Edanant displayed a hardened expression filled with hostility. Seeing Edanant’s expression, Lierre shrugged and started joking.

“Why did you involve Elizaveta?”

-Hmm, I can’t just let such an outstanding treasure languish.

Treasure.

She must be referring to the value as a vessel for manifesting divine status.

I admit it.

Elizaveta von Valtaria was nearly a perfect vessel.

Her extraordinary affinity had even allowed her to unconsciously blend with the goddess who created the Luinong. Even the sole deity, who solely obsessed over Beatrice, must have inadvertently coveted her. Surely, with Elizaveta’s remarkable affinity, she could wholly accept Death’s Disaster.

-That girl is an egg about to hatch. No one knows how she will change. That’s why I wanted to assist, as one who embodies both benevolence and equality.

“Unnecessary meddling.”

Lierre tossed her red hair dramatically.

At that, Edanant frowned.

She had drawn the attention of war.

Concerned for Elizaveta’s safety, Edanant began to exhibit resistance toward the deity he worshipped.

-Unnecessary meddling, huh…? Is that truly the case? To save Beatrice, the poor Saintess adored by a cheap hypocrite, I absolutely need that girl’s help.

“What do you mean?”

He asked in a voice thick with suspicion.

But Lierre did not answer the believer’s question.

Was it retaliation for boldly showing hostility toward the deity he worshipped, or was she merely sulking like a child? She only triggered Edanant’s unease with her enigmatic smile.

-Do not worry too much.

The girl finally managed to sit on the desk after several attempts.

And, as if to emphasize her white thighs and gracefully extended legs, she crossed them.

-I genuinely love you, my only believer. I won’t do anything harmful.

Chuckle.

She reached out and poked Edanant’s cheek with her finger.

A display of flirtation that seemed to playfully affection.

It also resembled a mother teaching her son.

As Edanant furrowed his brow, Lierre broke into a cheerful laugh, readily accepting Edanant’s rude behavior as if displaying her genuine affection for the apostle.

-If the poor Saintess is liberated from Death’s Disaster, the gray of the end will begin to move again. The cheap hypocrite, who has monopolized faith while sitting in the throne of the sole deity, will inevitably intervene as well.

“……”

War is imminent.

Surely an unprecedented war will break out.

The sole deity would lead His true form and descend upon the world.

And the Disaster of Innocence would gather on the battlefield to realize the prophecy of ruin.

Lierre responded to her believer, the eye of the storm wielding war, with a bright smile.

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