OMS Chapter 27

After walking a bit into the forest, I stabbed a branch from the sacred tree into the ground. Instead of using holy power, I infused the branch with magic iron. The purification effect wasn’t particularly strong, but it was better than nothing. Monsters born from corruption tend to avoid areas that have been purified. By purifying select areas like this, we could narrow the path for the monster stampede if it happens.

Continuing deeper into the forest, repeating the purification process at various points, I wasn’t worried about which corrupted core to tackle first. The thick, suffocating presence seeping from the depths of the forest made it obvious. It was unlike any other corruption I’d faced before.

The Demon King, born from corruption, commands it, and his very presence thickens the air with malevolence. I had hoped he hadn’t reached his full power yet, but it seemed that was just wishful thinking.

At first, we made good progress, but soon enough, the monsters started attacking. Their intelligent movements were a clear sign they were under the Demon King’s control. They used their dead companions as shields, flanked us from blind spots, and launched coordinated, relentless assaults.

It wasn’t enough to overwhelm us, but they weren’t making it easy, either.

I had already used up all the arrows I’d brought, so I discarded the bow and switched to magic. With so many enemies, magic was more efficient.

Viirant would cut down large numbers of monsters with a swing of his holy sword, while I finished off the rest with magic. When more monsters swarmed, I would cast wide-area spells, and Viirant would take care of the stragglers. We fought like that, conserving as much holy power as possible, but after what felt like hours, the waves of monsters suddenly stopped.

And then, he appeared—the Demon King.

He had long black hair, as if it were made from congealed shadows, and eyes dark as voids. The tall figure, inhumanly beautiful, stood with two monstrous beasts at his side.

One was a hulking bear-like creature, twice the size of a man, its body bristling with spikes, its claws as long as swords. The other was a massive wolf, with steel-like fur standing on end and a long horn jutting from its forehead.

They were surely the guardians of the other two corrupted cores. As if facing the Demon King alone wasn’t bad enough, dealing with these monsters too was beyond frustrating.

“You’ve come, saint.”

“We meet again, Demon King.”

“Heh heh heh, to think you were the saint all along… When I heard you survived my arrow, I had my doubts. Humans truly are deceiving in their appearance.”

“Sorry for being an old man saint.”

The Demon King’s red, slit-like lips curled into an amused grin. It was unmistakably a smile, but it dripped with malice toward humans.

Light and darkness. The sacred and the corrupted. Born from filth, the Demon King hates humanity and seeks its destruction. He is the exact opposite of me, standing like a gaping hole in the world, ready to swallow everything.

“Have you ever wondered why the world gives birth to Demon Kings and saints?”

“I’m not interested.”

“There are balancing forces in this world. To prevent the fragile balance from breaking, to stop this delicate world from being destroyed, the world produces saints and Demon Kings. …When corruption grows, a saint is born. And when the saint becomes too powerful, a Demon King arises.”

I scanned for an opening, but there were none. Every slight movement caused the guardian beasts at his side to react, growling menacingly. Surrounding the Demon King were multiple arrows of corruption, floating and ready to strike us.

“I said I’m not interested.”

“Well, give it time. You’ll be interested soon enough. …Why not join me?”

…What is he talking about? The saint, joining the Demon King? What kind of joke is this?

Saints kill Demon Kings. Demon Kings kill saints. When they meet, one of them dies, or both do. There’s no other outcome.

“No.”

“Not even if I promised to leave this country alone if you joined me?”

“!”

“Zeph!”

…You don’t need to worry. There’s no way I’d agree to something so absurd. Why would I believe he’d spare this country if I joined him?

Even if that were true, what about the neighboring countries? Would he lead his army of monsters to conquer them instead?

––If neighboring countries fall into chaos, this country will too.

The land would flood with refugees escaping from the monsters, destabilizing society. Desperate people do desperate things, and they can be worse than monsters. Robbery, looting, assault, extortion… Crime would surge, and the grief that follows would fuel even more corruption, spreading through the land.

Three hundred years ago, when the Demon King destroyed many countries, the neighboring nations fell in the same way. History cannot be allowed to repeat itself.

“…Why are you so eager to make me your ally?”

“The balance of the world—it’s ridiculous, isn’t it? Doesn’t it anger you that we’re born into this world just to maintain that balance? Don’t you want to rebel against that fate?”

…I was hoping to draw out his true motive, but it seems he doesn’t have one beyond his own rage at the world that created him.

Whether or not there’s some cosmic force maintaining balance, it’s clear this world works in mysterious ways. Throughout history, there’s always been a saint when corruption grows too strong. That’s a fact. And that fact alone suggests something unnatural is at play.

Maybe what the Demon King is saying is the truth of this world.

––But that doesn’t mean I want to rebel against it.

I’ll do what I can. If there’s something I can do, I’ll do it without hesitation. Whether I’m a saint or not doesn’t change that. I’m still just me, and being a saint is just a title. It’s not some grand destiny. I just have power, so I use it.

I have the power to defeat the Demon King, so I’ll kill him. Simple as that.

“I don’t think so.”

“…I see. A shame.”

Despite his words, the Demon King grinned, and the arrows of corruption launched toward us.

That was the signal for the battle to begin.

I sent out a burst of holy power to deflect the arrows and fired my own arrows in return. It distracted him for a moment, but of course, my attacks couldn’t reach him. The dense corruption around him enhanced his strength while weakening mine. The longer this fight goes on, the worse it will be for us.

“I’ll take on the beasts! Viirant, keep the Demon King occupied!”

With a quick nod of understanding, Viirant shot toward the Demon King with incredible speed. He’s the strongest hero in history. There’s no way he’ll lose.

I cast holy power toward the beasts attacking us. First, I bound their legs and arms, slowing their movements, and then I shot arrows into their eyes. Their roars were deafening, but I took the chance to hurl magic iron ores into their mouths. Infused with holy power, the ores were like poison to the monsters. As they writhed in pain, I finished them off by stabbing through their necks with a spear I conjured from holy power.

With the beasts down, I rushed to help Viirant.

––But reality is always cruel.

“Go. Drench this country in blood.”

Just before Viirant’s sword reached the Demon King, the Demon King’s command echoed. All the remaining monsters obeyed and started charging toward the fortress.

…The monster stampede can’t be stopped now. But in that moment, Viirant’s holy sword sliced deep into the Demon King’s shoulder, cutting down to his heart.

A torrent of corruption gushed out, and black blood dripped from the Demon King’s mouth. His thin lips curled into a grin, sending chills down my spine.

As a sense of dread washed over me, I noticed something hidden behind the Demon King’s back. A dark, shadowy arrow shot forth.

It was far darker than the one from before.

I knew instantly—if this arrow hits, even a hero or saint would die.

And the arrow was aimed straight at Viirant, who was being held by the Demon King’s wrist.

Time slowed down.

The arrow crept forward, and my movements felt sluggish as well. Desperately, I forced my legs to move and threw myself between them.

Just as I managed to shield Viirant with my body, the pitch-black arrow pierced my chest.

“…”

“Zeph!”

––Ah, I see.

I finally realized something.

I’m in love with Viirant. In a special way, I love him.

I don’t know when it started, but by the time we kissed, I was probably already in love with him. When I thought about who I wanted to give my blessing to, it had to be Viirant. I’d rather die than see Viirant die.

If I could protect him, even if it cost me my life, that wouldn’t be a bad way to go.

That’s how much I loved him.

…Realizing it now feels way too late, though.

The arrow had pierced straight through my heart, and the strength drained from my body.

Let’s see… Corrosion, poison, body destruction, soul destruction… The arrow’s loaded with nasty curses. He offered me to join him, but it seems he planned to kill me from the start.

I managed to coat the arrow with my holy power before it hit, but this might still kill me.

If I can use my power to destroy the arrow before it consumes me, I win. My level has gone up after killing all those monsters, so I can even repair my heart. But if I fail, I’m done for.

…At least I didn’t die instantly from having my heart pierced. I’m really not human anymore, am I?

“…Don’t touch… the arrow… I leave…the rest to you…”

If anyone tries to pull it out, we’ll both die. I had to make sure Viirant knew that, and entrusted everything else to him before my consciousness slipped away.

The only regret I had was that I couldn’t see Viirant’s face clearly as everything went dark.