Chapter 377
‘The Karmic Retribution of Hell?’

[KRAAAAAAAH!!!]

[AAAAAAH!!!]

Even though they were already dead, their souls screamed out in agony.

Something was attempting to descend, using these souls as a sacrifice.

‘No way…’

The moment Christian clenched his fist tightly, a fierce energy surged through the air.

It pressed down on them like a giant’s weight, forcing everyone to gather their strength. Then, a figure began to take shape.

The figure was cloaked head to toe in a robe covered with chilling symbols.

The Duke Huam swallowed hard, his breath caught by the suffocating aura.

“…Could it be a demon?”

“…Not a demon. A human.”

Nordian shook his head, and everyone’s faces twisted in disbelief.

There was no way a human could wield such power.

The Archbishop’s instrument from earlier was strong, but this was on a whole different level.

“…Christian, am I right in my guess?”

“…It seems so.”

Christian nodded gravely.

“He’s a priest of the Mystic Maga.”

“!!”

A wave of shock rippled through the hall.

The Mystic Maga was a group shrouded in absolute secrecy. No one knew their structure or who belonged to them.

Only a few outsiders had heard of certain members.

The ‘priests.’

They stood at the very pinnacle of the Mystic Maga.

“This is absurd! This power is on par with a Demon Lord!”

The Duke of Bethen’s face was filled with disbelief.

It was known, through whispers, that the Mystic Maga’s priests possessed power beyond natural limits.

But this was something else entirely.

‘It makes sense. Priests are humans who have transformed into demons.’

The high priesthood of the Mystic Maga was divided into two groups.

The Cardinals, Bishops, and Archbishops Christian and his group had faced so far.

They had not yet shed their human constraints.

But the priests above them had become demons themselves.

‘At least they don’t seem to be at the Apostle level.’

Still, it was a hopeless situation.

This being seemed to possess power equal to a lower-tier 9-star Demon Lord.

‘Unlike the newly ascended 9-star Demon Lord who was still clumsy in many ways, this is the real deal.’

Christian’s expression darkened.

If he were at full strength, maybe he could stand a chance. But now, drained and exhausted, he was no match.

‘How did he manage to descend? Priests, like demons, are bound by causality. They can’t appear openly unless the boundaries of the Three Realms break.’

That was why Christian hadn’t factored a priest’s intervention into his plan.

“…Could it be that he descended, risking the backlash of causality, just to eliminate me?”

Christian’s question drew the priest’s gaze.

A chilling light flickered from within the robe.

[Indeed, Great Vessel. Originally, we intended to serve you after the apocalypse began, but we can no longer leave you be. If we do, you will surely obstruct our grand plan. We must bring you to the main house, even if it means forcing your arrival.]

“…An honor, indeed. A priest of the Mystic Maga willing to risk annihilation just to take me.”

The backlash of causality was no light matter.

By merely descending here, this being’s soul must be under immense strain.

[It matters not. I have long since dedicated my soul to the great beings of Gehenna. If I can martyr myself for the grand plan, I will gladly do so.]

The priest raised his hand.

A massive instrument roared to life.

[The preparations for the apocalypse are already in their final stages without you, but if the Great Vessel joins us, it will be even more perfect. Please forgive my somewhat rough approach.]

“Shut up. What’s with all this ‘vessel’ talk?”

Nordian stepped forward, placing himself before Christian.

Though his strength was nearly spent, he was determined to protect his grandson.

The others, including Idrene, did the same.

“Demon or not, if you lay a hand on my friend, I won’t stand idly by.”

They all formed a barrier in front of Christian.

Their goal was clear: buy time for Christian to evade.

But Christian’s response was unexpected.

“Don’t worry.”

“…What do you mean? Even you can’t handle a monster like that.”

“I’m fine.”

Christian smiled faintly.

“I have an insurance policy, just in case.”

Everyone looked puzzled, unable to grasp what he meant.

Then, a clear, youthful voice rang out, oddly out of place.

[Hahaha! You’ve waited long enough! I’m here now, so leave this to me from here on!]

A cute little girl appeared.

The Demon Lord of Silver Snow!

Christian had secretly dismantled the sealing formation during the fight and freed the Silver Snow Demon Lord.

Despite being freed, she still gave off no intimidating aura, which made Christian sigh softly.

“…The Silver Snow Demon Lord.”

Only then did the three clan heads’ faces register shock.

“…Really? That little kid?”

Nordian looked incredulous, prompting the Silver Snow Demon Lord to bristle.

“You’re Nordian? You’re just a kid yourself, so who are you to talk?! The rumors about you being hopeless are true!”

Nordian frowned.

He wasn’t even a Demon Lord of the same magic kingdom, and now he had stepped above Demon Lords.

Moreover, he effectively led the Southern Magic Kingdom, so it was hard to say he was subordinate to the Silver Snow Demon Lord.

“…My apologies. Your Highness, you truly live up to your reputation.”

“Hmm, so you’ve heard the worship I receive?”

“…Not exactly that kind of rumor.”

“What?! Then what kind of rumor was it?”

“…Wait! Both of you, keep your dignity. This isn’t the time.”

Christian stepped forward, looking troubled.

To be honest, with both of them bickering in childlike forms, it really did look like a childish quarrel, and everyone tried to keep their composure.

[So, that’s the one who’s been bothering you? Leave it to me.]

The Silver Snow Demon Lord placed a hand on her hip and glared haughtily at the Mystic Maga priest.

[You’re just a bug from the Mystic Maga. How dare you trespass in my domain? Even if I cut off your head, the Mystic Maga won’t dare protest.]

[…]

Was the priest wary of the Silver Snow Demon Lord’s power?

He said nothing.

[But I am merciful. Today, I will grant you special mercy. Leave immediately, and I will spare your life!]

[…]

[Why no answer? Do you want to die? If I wished, cutting off your head would be effortless! Leave now while I’m merciful!]

The Silver Snow Demon Lord’s expression grew anxious.

Christian cautiously sent a message.

—Are you completely powerless?

—Y-Yes. That damn Overlord drained so much energy that I can barely muster a fraction of my strength.

In other words, the Silver Snow Demon Lord was bluffing desperately!

Trying to scare the enemy into fleeing.

—Don’t worry! He knows my greatness. He’ll be scared off by me!

Of course, that was wishful thinking.

[…Looks like your strength hasn’t returned yet, Silver Snow.]

The priest smiled darkly.

[So you’re just barking like a scared dog for no reason.]

[!!]

The Silver Snow Demon Lord flinched.

[No! I can cut you down anytime I want! I’m serious! Don’t test my patience!]

Christian sighed at her typical behavior.

Always so petty and noisy.

‘Well, I expected as much.’

Still, there was a reason he had risked freeing her.

“Come here. I have a plan.”

[What? You really have a plan? Tell me! I just got unsealed and I’m not ready to die!]

The Silver Snow Demon Lord’s eyes widened.

“…What if Your Highness relies on me?”

[W-Well…! I’m sorry. I’ve always been scolded by my subordinates in the Demon Castle to behave. It’s disheartening. Maybe that’s why I’m so unpopular.]

“…I’m not trying to discourage you. Just listen.”

Christian conveyed his plan through message magic, and the Silver Snow Demon Lord’s eyes filled with shock.

[Are you insane? You want to do that? Impossible!]

“It’s not impossible.”

Christian smiled.

“Haven’t we done something similar before?”

The Silver Snow Demon Lord fell silent, recalling their first meeting.

They had done something like this back then.

“I’ll trust you.”

[Good! Since you say that, I have no choice! Just trust me! But this isn’t something you can just trust me on!]

Christian turned to Nordian.

“Can you buy me some time?”

“…Alright. But what exactly are you planning?”

“I’ll join forces with the Demon Lord to take down that monster.”

Nordian frowned.

He didn’t know what Christian was thinking, but it seemed impossible.

Still.

“…If you say so, then so be it. We’ll hold off that monster. You do as you wish.”

Nordian glanced at the Silver Snow Demon Lord.

“Please take good care of my grandson.”

[Leave it to me!]

“Don’t be so clueless. I mean don’t hold my grandson back.”

[W-What?! You…?!]

Of course, Nordian ignored him.

A brilliant light flared!

Dark magic surged upward.

It was a force drawn up from the very depths.

Others stepped forward alongside, and even the priest unleashed his power.

KRAAAASH!

A shockwave erupted, threatening to collapse the underground labyrinth.

Christian and Eunseol’s Demon King quickly prepared themselves.

“We’ll begin immediately.”

[…Do you really think you can pull this off?]

“Why do you keep asking that?”

[…Why? Don’t you know?]

Eunseol’s Demon King snapped, raising his voice.

[You’re only a 9th-rank Jin, and you want to manipulate causality itself?]

Each rank has its own distinctive power.

The 5th rank manifests willpower for the first time.

The 6th controls thoughts, the 7th intervenes in laws, the 8th fully dominates laws.

The 9th rank is ‘causality’ itself.

‘Even the Creation Descent twists causality to impose its own worldview on the world.’

Manipulating causality was a power even higher than the Creation Descent.

‘Battles between 9th ranks are decided by this ability to manipulate causality.’

It was a power still beyond Christian’s reach.

Even those who had fully reached the 9th rank could only use it in a limited way.

But—

“It’s fine. Just like last time, if Your Highness demonstrates first, I’ll follow your lead exactly.”

When they first met, he had connected their minds and mimicked Eunseol’s Demon King’s sword.

[…I don’t know. If you clumsily meddle with causality and the backlash hits you, don’t say I didn’t warn you.]

“Are you worried about me?”

[Of course I am. I like you, you know. You’re the first in decades to catch my interest like this.]

“…Ah, I see.”

It was meant as a joke, but hearing such a serious reply left him a little embarrassed.