Side Story Chapter 179


    On their way back to the council chamber from the Pces underground floor, Lilith whispered, <em>Youre warm-hearted.</em> She meant it.


    -No need to talk me up. The Demon Spirits body getting loose would be a problem. All my efforts up to now would be for nothing


    <em>Yeah, yeah, sure. Are you embarrassed? Youre surprisingly cute.</em>


    -Im married.


    <em>What? I wasnt nning on hitting on a married man, you know. Im giving my honest opinion.</em>


    Joshua didnt reply, but Lilith was undeterred.


    <em>I have a question. What are you going to do when you regain your body? Youre really going to be Joshua Sander again, not a soul in Lilith Aphrodite.</em>


    -Well, I havent thought about the future that specifically


    Some time ago, Joshua had said that he wished to bequeath his throne and retire when the time came, and spend the rest of his life in peace with his people, but he couldnt be further from that dream right now.


    <em>By that time, the Demon Spirit and demons will be gone, and Igrant is also going to be at peace, right?</em> Lilith asked, echoing the sentiments of everyone.


    Both Joshua and Lilith knew that that was impossible. Human greed was endless. Neither the history nor the present state of the continent could be exined with the word war. Would that change in the future? No, it was never going to change. Even if Marcus ben Britten died again, someone like Grand Duke Lucifer, Zactor, or Bel would rear their ugly head again somewhere on the continent.


    History would repeat, endlessly. Even if there came a day when a country unified the continent, there would always be power struggles within or people fighting for independence like the Thran Kingdom.


    -One thing is clear.


    <em>Whats that?</em> Lilith asked.


    -Even if I do retire, Ill show up with my spear at the ready wherever and whenever someone threatens my people.


    <em>Hearing that makes me feel really safe. You truly are a kind man.</em>


    They were nowpletely out of the underground floor, but Joshuas steps only quickened as he trod down the long hallway that led to the council chamber.


    <em>Why are you suddenly running?</em> Lilith asked.


    -We have a problem.


    Joshua shared what he was detecting now, allowing Lilith to sense it too. The entire council chamber was ominously roiling with demonic power, and someones murderous energy was shaking it to its foundations.


    <em>What in the world?</em>


    Joshua kicked the doors without stopping, blowing them straight off their hinges. When the dust settled, Joshua saw Cain, his golden aura violently pulsing as he furiously drove a man into the corner.


    After oveing his limits, Cain was peerless among humans, but his opponent was blocking all of Cains attacks with one hand. His opponent was the strongest demon in the Demon Realm, second only to the Shining Darkness, and was the one and only Grand Duke of the Demon Realm.


    Altheon Deos, Joshua said.


    Altheon froze and rapidly retreated far backward.


    Damn you! Cain shouted, hot on the demons heels.


    Altheon was left with no choice and had to fight back using both hands this time.


    He joined his index fingers and thumbs together, forming a triangle. The moment his target entered the triangle, Altheon poured out his demonic power. As expected from the Demonic Light Demon, he could materialize his demonic power into an incredibly destructive ray of light.


    Ugh! Cain was thrown away and mmed into the wall by Altheons beam. He writhed in pain. He looked into the eyes of Joshua and said, YourMajesty bis


    Joshua stiffened. His eyes swept over the chamber andnded on a man lying in the corner.


    The pool of blood around bis made the severity of his state obvious. As a matter of fact, biss vital force was so weak that it was a miracle that he was still alive.


    <em>Oh, no</em> Lilith reflexively covered her mouth.


    It was no exaggeration to say that she was the closest to bis out of all the people in the chamber. After the First Continental War, they had made many exchanges as they worked to restore theirnd.


    <em>Hes not dead, is he?</em> Lilith asked.


    Joshua wordlessly turned his gaze. Tshchary and Perchilin had been carefully avoiding looking at him, but flinched nheless.


    Were you just standing around until it came to this? Joshua demanded, ring at the demons.


    -W-Well This is all a misunderstanding.


    While Perchilin instinctively stammered out excuses, Tshchary calmly came forward.


    -It was inevitable.


    Inevitable?


    -Altheon Deos is the strongest demona lot stronger than both of us.


    Do you think that suffices as an answer? Joshua narrowed his eyes.


    -On top of that, he has your Pride, and we used up all our power dealing with Urus, the second strongest demon.


    Tshchary pointed at the red devils headless corpse. Perchilintched on to Tscharys cool and quicklyposed herself.


    -H-Hes right! We faithfully carried out your orders and took out Urus. I mean, who knew the human would be that weak?! He got stabbed in the blink of an eye and now hes dying Gosh, after all that big talk about trusting them


    Perchilins voice gradually tapered off because the other human man was clearing his throat and the cunning girl had yet to say a thing.


    Icarus, Joshua said.


    Icarus didnt move an inch and continued to kneel over bis, despondently examining his wounds. Joshua and Lilith could feel how much shock Icarus was in.


    Your Majesty, Sir bis isnt breathing, Icarus said after a long, agonizing moment.


    Joshuas eyes slowly widened.


    Icarus looked up with her face covered in tears and wept, Our Avalon and me For an idiot like me


    Although Icarus wasnt speaking coherently, Joshua could understand what she was trying to say.


    Joshuas energy ripped through the chamber in a furious wave.


    As Altheon had turned the room into the Demon Realm, the entire floor was pitch ck. The gravity was ten times heavier than usual; ordinary people would have trouble merely breathing. In addition, the air was filled with demonic power, not mana, so even knights and mages werent able to use their full power in this kind of ce.


    However, one singr person in the world was an exception to these restrictions. His name was Joshua Sanders, the Martial God of the Igrant, and the strongest being in the entire history of the Demon Realm. Gravity couldnt weigh him down, and the air didnt react to him.


    Altheon Deos, Joshua repeated.


    -Long time no see, sir. I doubted my eyes for a moment. I cant believe its you Well, it changes nothing.


    Altheon raised his hands and quietly adjusted his sses.


    -The strongest demonunofficiallythe one and only Grand Duke of all demons, the owner of Pride, the god yer That was you, Shining Darkness, but Ill take those titles too.


    Altheon slowly grinned.


    -I am the strongest demon, as recognized by all demons. After your disappearance, Ive be Grand Duke of all demons and obtained the power of Pride, the strongest Evil Sin. All that remains now is the title of god yer. The Demon Spirit and all the other gods are no more, so it has sadly been impossible to fulfill that dream until you appeared.


    By that point, Altheon was smiling from ear to ear.


    -There are no gods, but a god yer that killed another god yer wouldnt be so bad either.


    Altheon let his demonic power rampage forth. Pride helped Altheon with its overwhelming power,pelling even the other demons to bow.


    -Pride


    -A mere human brings such a look to your face, I see Youve changed a lot. You didnt use to be like that.


    I dont think my fanboy gets to say that, Joshua said, finally breaking his silence.


    -You!


    The air around Altheon immediately changed.


    Altheon Deos, you wont die a peaceful death, Joshua muttered under his breath.


    Longin trembled in response to Joshuas emotions.


    The good memories Joshua had with bis shed across his mind. Revenge begets revenge; meaningless. That was what Joshua had said, but it was different now. Although harboring anger against Joshua himself was fine, it shouldnt affect the people around him. If someone crossed the line


    Ill crush you so hard that youll beg me to kill you instead. Your servants, your family  Everyone who trusts and relies on you shall be eradicated.


    The three demons staggered. They had already heard that dragons could kill a living being with their will alone, and the Demon Spirit and certain very powerful demons with special abilities were capable of it, but that was limited to ordinary life forms with weak resolve. However, the power in Joshuas voice sent a shiver down their spines.


    Ill show you why I reigned as the strongest being in the Demon Realm, Joshua warned the demons.