Kwoooong!
As the colossal god fell, the earth began to tremble.
Lucifer watched with a sneer at the body of Azidahaka, the Demon God, lying on the barren, lifeless ground.
“If you had calmly surrendered your life, you wouldn’t have ended up like this… Struggling just brought you to this state, didn’t it?”
“Pride… Did you think you could put the world in your grasp that way? How utterly foolish.”
“You always kept silent, but now that you’re on the verge of death, you have much to say, Demon God.”
“Hmph. Was the seat of glory so tempting to you? Let me warn you: your ambition will only end in ruin!”
Azidahaka shouted at Lucifer, unable to contain his rage.
Yet Lucifer, who now held the powers, paid no attention.
‘To think he would dare warn me, after cowering in fear of the Outer Gods.’
Lucifer held nothing but contempt for Azidahaka.
He despised how they had succumbed to fear of beings called Outer Gods.
But what bothered him most was how Azidahaka had isolated Astelgia to such a miserable state.
‘I can understand fearing unknown entities. And even joining hands with Eris to sustain Gaia… But why should we have to live in the shadows?’
The lands of the Demon Realm and the isolation of Astelgia weren’t enough; they had been turned into enemies of both the Middle and Celestial Realms.
This was Lucifer’s greatest grievance.
‘It wasn’t about being respected. I never asked for that. We only wanted one thing.’
Humans in the Middle Realm viewed the land of the demons as a curse and took every chance to attack.
The demons could only endure without fighting back.
Retaliation? Not even a thought. If they tried, the celestials would come down in fury.
A life branded as everyone’s enemy, without doing anything—how unfair it was.
‘We only wanted to live without interference. Not a miserable life where we were struck and unable to strike back!’
They wanted a life where their sacrifices were acknowledged.
The Demon God and Goddess used their powers to support Gaia equally, yet the humans who thrived under their protection cursed them, viewing them as evil.
‘Demon God… if only you had tried to stop them…’
If Azidahaka had done anything to prevent the humans, emboldened by the Celestials, from rampaging.
‘Astelgia wouldn’t have turned into this land of death, covered in corpses.’
The loss of allies was only the beginning; the land had transformed into a desolate realm of death.
“So you aimed for the Demon God’s seat? To erase the deep-seated hatred humans feel for demons?”
“What would change now if you tried to erase such hatred? It’s too late, far too late. If change were possible… we should have restructured from the beginning.”
It was too late to mend things. Battered and scarred, how could they now talk of coexistence?
The problem had been there from the start. If Azidahaka hadn’t consigned himself to the shadows when he first negotiated with Eris to protect Gaia, none of this would have happened.
‘Then…’
It was time to reset and set things right.
‘To eliminate all those who are harmful to this land and start anew.’
He would start by eradicating the insect-like humans who dared ignore their efforts and those Celestials who did nothing but observe.
And if he swept away even the Outer Gods, with whom coexistence was inevitable…
“Finally, the world I’ve envisioned will unfold.”
“Do you truly believe that plan will succeed? How laughable. The word ‘arrogance’ suits you too well. Go ahead, try it. The only path ahead is one of failed rebellion and destruction.”
“Rebellion, you say. It would seem that way to a failed soul like you. But wouldn’t the word ‘revolution’ be more fitting?”
Lucifer’s lips curled into a crazed smile.
At that moment, Azidahaka realized there was no need for further words.
‘I have prepared myself… it ends here, after all.’
It was unfortunate, but he had known for a long time that his life was nearing its end.
This was why he had created an ally to protect the Hero.
All Azidahaka could do now was hope that the fruits of his efforts would bear results.
He had done everything he could; all that was left was to wait.
Sensing the end, Azidahaka calmly closed his eyes, and Lucifer gazed at him, dazed.
“It’s over.”
It was the pathetic end of the one who had sustained Gaia alongside Eris.
Even though he had finally seized the Demon God’s throne, Lucifer’s expression remained grim.
‘Killing the Demon God doesn’t mean it’s over… If the Hero and Eris aren’t eliminated, the revolution will end in failure…’
He was tempted to tear away Gaia’s veil immediately, but he held back.
They hadn’t yet swept away all the enemies within, so there was no point in attracting outside foes.
Only if someone loyal, like Satan, stood ready to sacrifice could he take that risk. With the loss of allies like Ian, Lucifer had to choose a safer route.
‘Azidahaka’s death… Eris will surely have noticed it. She will issue her decree.’
The Hero Party—the only weapon Eris, unable to interfere directly in the Middle Realm, could wield.
Undoubtedly, they would be the ones he needed to deal with first.
‘If the resolve is set…’
There was no need for hesitation.
Lucifer clenched his fist and gazed at the Middle Realm, grinding his teeth.
***
Haley, having completed her recovery, immediately set off for Volkanov upon waking up.
It wasn’t just to apologize to Ian for what she had postponed.
Though she desperately wanted to, the reason for her visit this time was entirely different.
“I can’t teach you swordsmanship anymore?”
“I’m sorry, Ariel.”
“If you say that all of a sudden… Does that mean you’re giving up your position as an Ark instructor, too?”
“No, not that. While I can’t personally teach you swordsmanship anymore, I can still support you as an instructor.”
Ariel was quite taken aback at Haley’s decision to step down from her role as a mentor.
She wasn’t sure how to take this unexpected announcement. Initially, she wondered if it was because of lingering injuries from the recent incident.
But listening to Haley, it didn’t seem to be the case.
‘It’s confusing, but I can’t just stubbornly refuse…’
Haley Miler wasn’t the kind of person to give up her position so suddenly.
So Ariel carefully met her gaze.
“Is there any way you could tell me why you’re stepping down?”
“The reason I’m stepping down….”
Haley’s eyes trembled slightly at Ariel’s question.
There were many reasons she could list.
One reason was that, as a mentor, she hadn’t managed to elevate her student’s skills as much as she’d hoped.
But the main reason Haley decided to give up her role was her belief in her own inadequacy.
“I’m not qualified to teach anyone.”
For some time, she had doubted her abilities, and the recent attack only confirmed her doubts.
No matter how she thought about it, she wasn’t suited to teach swordsmanship.
To Ariel, however, this was incomprehensible.
“What? What do you mean by that…?”
Ariel tilted her head, unable to understand.
It was only natural to feel that way.
After all, who was her mentor? Wasn’t she known widely as a “Sword Master”?
Ariel could hardly believe that a person with such a renowned reputation in swordsmanship, someone expected to reach the rank of Master, would say she wasn’t qualified to teach.
Who else could claim the title of mentor?
“Master…”
Ariel was at a loss for words, but Haley merely lowered her head, as though ashamed.
“I’m sorry, Ariel.”
“…”
Haley hadn’t even been Ariel’s mentor for a year, and now she was giving up, leaving Ariel confused and likely hurt.
It was clear how crucial this time was, yet here she was, offering no real explanation, only vague words about her own inadequacy.
‘Maybe Ariel thinks I’m just giving a vague reason because I can’t say the real reason.’
But that wasn’t true.
She genuinely felt her inadequacies and had decided to step away as a mentor.
‘…After witnessing Ian’s swordsmanship, I lost the courage to wield a sword myself….’
She recalled the backs of Ian and Celia, who had confronted Satan alone.
Though she had been exhausted and carried on Evan’s back, she had sensed that Satan was a formidable opponent.
That was why, despite her state, she had struggled to follow the path they had taken.
As an instructor, she needed to prioritize the cadets’ safety. And above all, the words left by Kyan had sparked her to act.
‘He told me to at least apologize to Ian before I died.’
Shamefully, she hadn’t even managed to tell Ian she was sorry.
Though she knew that, now that Ian had broken his swordsmanship curse on his own, she couldn’t offer him any help.
If Ian were to reject her outright and tell her never to show up again, she would be powerless.
‘I was too scared of hearing such harsh words to go and apologize.’
Cleaning up the mess they had made in the lecture hall together had already felt like a sign of their broken relationship, something beyond mending.
Maybe that was why she had kept delaying her apology, consciously or not.
But now, she had resolved that, even if she had to run away afterward, she would apologize to Ian.
As Kyan had said, even if the relationship was fractured, it could be pieced back together.
‘I’m not asking for forgiveness. I only want one thing.’
If he told her to leave, she would. If he ordered her to give up the sword, she would even curse herself. She was prepared to go as far as cutting off one of her arms.
All she wanted was to say that one word: “Sorry.”
With that thought, Haley, exhausted, pushed herself forward toward where Satan was.
Upon arrival, she saw it.
‘It was as if he had reached the peak of swordsmanship I had always sought….’
Before the Demon King, he revealed his full power.
A towering giant with a thousand hands appeared behind him, exuding an overwhelming presence akin to a mythical being.
As the swords in each of those hands rained down like a storm, Haley clenched her fist.
The one who had once been her student had surpassed her, reaching a divine level and bringing down the Demon King.
Watching this, Haley felt awe but also shame, unable to raise her head.
‘Even with a curse that prevented him from wielding a sword, he grew so much… And what was I doing?’
She had become complacent and lazy.
Though she had vowed not to be influenced by those who praised her as nearing the rank of Master, she had, unknowingly, been swayed by their words.
Meanwhile, her once-exiled student had surpassed her and reached the level of Master. It meant only one thing.
‘I’m not worthy of being anyone’s mentor… Unable to manage even my own path, how could I teach someone else?’
She had realized this and accepted it.
‘Since I’ve given up the role of mentor, I suppose I won’t see Ian again.’
Though she had prepared herself, she could feel tears beginning to form.
But there was nothing she could do. She had no right to expect happiness after all she had done.
As she moved with heavy steps, she suddenly heard a voice behind her.
“If you’d like, I can deliver the item, Miss.”
“No. I’ll do it. You’ve got enough work piled up as it is. Go ahead. I’ll handle the rest.”
‘Oh…’
Given the closeness of the voice, it was likely that if she simply turned her head, she’d see him.
Moreover, with her distinctive red hair, Ian would instantly recognize her.
Haley was momentarily flustered but quickly realized this could be the perfect opportunity.
‘If I call out to him now…’
Ian would turn, and she’d finally have the chance to apologize, something she had longed to do but thought she might never have the chance.
This could be her one and only opportunity to release the apology she had kept locked in her heart.
‘I… I need to say it…’
She turned her body, thinking all she had to do was call his name just once.
But in the end, the two syllables never left her lips.
‘I… Ian…’
Fear sprouted again, silencing her. And by the time she regained her composure, Ian was already gone.
***
“How do I look, Brother? Does it suit me?”
“Yes. It suits you.”
Watching his sister awkwardly smile in her heavy armor and robe, Ian wasn’t quite sure what to say.
‘The oversized armor makes her face look smaller… it was designed purely for defense, with no thought for appearance…’
Initially, he’d thought about just leaving the items in her room without seeing her.
‘I assumed she’d be training, and the room would be empty… How could I have known things would turn out like this?’
The moment he made eye contact with his sister, who was curled up on her bed, all his plans went awry.
‘Haley said she gave up her position as Ariel’s mentor, so she’s been staying in her room, not knowing what to do.’
Since he couldn’t take the items back after preparing them, Ian decided to hand them to Ariel directly.
‘Though I worried she might be disappointed, it seems she does like them.’
The heavy armor that shook the ground with each step, the robe, and the life-imbued ring—none of these items matched her usual style.
Yet, after her initial surprise, Ariel smiled.
“Thank you… I’ll use them well…”
Perhaps the fact that he had taken items from the family vault just for her touched her deeply, or maybe she was saying that because she didn’t want to ask for something else.
Regardless, whether she liked them or not, Ian had no intention of taking the items back.
‘She’ll need them in the upcoming battles, so refusing wasn’t an option. If she’d resisted, I would have made her wear them by force. But since she seems satisfied, I was about to leave.’
Having handed over everything, he was ready to go when he turned toward the door.
“Brother… I have a favor to ask. Could you watch my swordsmanship?”
There was no way Ian could refuse such a cautious request.
“I’m glad you said it suits you…”
And that was why he found himself at the training ground, watching his sister in her armor.
She wanted him to check if the items fit well, and he couldn’t say no.
While it was true that there was some discomfort between them, it wasn’t so severe that he couldn’t grant such a small request.
‘Besides, with Haley stepping down as her swordsmanship mentor, I can’t just sit back.’
Ariel was the protagonist destined to survive this world.
Ian had done countless things to ensure her survival, so taking on a temporary mentor role was nothing.
“Alright, shall we start?”
“Yes.”
With a hesitant question, Ariel adjusted her grip on Elysion, ready to charge.
Whoosh!
“Huh?”
“What’s going on?”
Just as Ariel sprang forward, a faint gasp escaped her, and she froze.
Had there been a problem with her new gear?
Concerned, Ian looked at Ariel, but she only stared in disbelief at her sacred sword.
“Brother, the… the sword…”
“What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”
“The Holy Sword… It gave me a revelation.”
“What?”
“Just now, Elysion spoke to me. It warned me of an approaching danger…”
Danger approaching? What could that mean?
Did it imply that she was in some kind of imminent threat?
‘If that were the case, the status window wouldn’t stay silent.’
Ian’s status window had always been incredibly sensitive to any threat against Ariel, immediately issuing a warning.
If anything had happened, it should have reacted right away.
With this thought, Ian checked his status window.
[The Master of the Abyss has begun to bring down the world.]
‘So… Lucifer has started to move.’
He frowned as he read the ominous words.
