Chapter 581: The Demon King of Incarceration (2) [Bonus Image]
Eugene knew.
Vermouth had sat in the center of Destruction, right where Agaroth had left the mark. He had not initially understood its significance, but gradually, piece by piece, he came to understand.
When Eugene encountered Vermouth through Ciel’s Demoneye, Vermouth was not in a position where he could reveal his identity.
But there was no need to hear it from Vermouth. At that time, when Eugene met Vermouth in the Temple of Destruction, he had already convinced himself that everything he imagined was the truth.
Yet, Eugene chose to ignore it. He thought there was no need to be conscious of it. Just as there was no need to hear Vermouth's identity, he thought there was no need to deliberately come to know it.
Nothing would change. No matter who Vermouth truly was or how he was born, he was still Vermouth. He was Vermouth Lionheart.
Eugene gnashed his teeth as he remembered his meeting with Vermouth. He opened his bloodied fist.
What had he said to Vermouth? If he truly wanted to reveal everything, Eugene had asked Vermouth to do it later, after everything was over. That he would pull Vermouth from that damned chair and give him a good beating, then he would listen.
But he knew that was impossible. To reach Vermouth, he had to get past the Demon King of Incarceration. Speaking all of the truths here in the throne room of Babel and coming to a decision would be the final trial set by the Demon King of Incarceration.
"The first Oath bore no fruit," the Demon King said before turning his gaze to Eugene.
"Eugene Lionheart, if you had come with Vermouth... negotiations for the end of Destruction could have taken place. As Vermouth wished, I would have guided you into the belly of Destruction. Even if it were a high-risk gamble, I would have taken a bet I would never normally consider."
But Hamel had died.
"I made a second Oath with Vermouth. He returned to the destruction from where he was born. He mingled with Destruction and grappled with it. And I decided to wait. The reprieve gained by delaying Destruction. Even if everything ultimately ended in destruction, it was worth watching.”
The Demon King of Incarceration paused briefly and then chuckled before continuing.
"I gave... time. Vermouth earned it, and all I had to do was stop the war. The time thus granted had significance. The world has grown since three hundred years ago. The continent's will is stronger than it was during the era of war. And you, Hamel, reborn, ascended Babel and reached me with divinity.”
Three hundred years ago, this alone would have sufficed. But now, that was no longer the case. Vermouth wasn’t here.
"This isn't the end, is it?" Anise spoke up, her eyes holding undisguised hostility as she glared at the Demon King of Incarceration. "Isn't that right?"
"Do you want to fight me?" questioned the Demon King.
"There's no one among us who wouldn't want that,” Anise responded.
"That depends on the choice Eugene Lionheart makes,” the Demon King of Incarceration responded.
All eyes turned to Eugene.
"This is all for you, after all. You are the reincarnation of Agaroth, who left a deep wound on Destruction. You are the existence that continues the hopes of the ancient gods. You are what was achieved through Vermouth’s self-sacrifice, the representative of Light and all gods,” the Demon King continued.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the three hundred years since the era of war existed solely for Eugene.
"I might live eternally hereafter, but there will never be another like you now. Yet, I must doubt. Can you truly end Destruction? You, without Vermouth by your side, can you really... do it?" the Demon King of Incarceration said softly.
Eugene silently furrowed his brows.
"Even if you claim you can, I must believe that you cannot," the Demon King of Incarceration stated.
He rested his chin on his hand. From his high throne, he looked down imperiously. He was every inch the Great Demon King.
"End yourself,” he said.
"What?" Eugene asked, shocked.
"End yourself and offer your soul to me. The same goes for all of you," the Demon King repeated.
His gaze shifted to Sienna and the Saints.
"Sienna Merdein, Kristina Rogeris, and Anise Slywood. Your souls are exceedingly valuable, more than enough for me to take to the next era," he continued.
"You...."
"If you voluntarily offer your souls, I will treat you accordingly. Do you wish to preserve your memories? It is a very easy task, you know? The Demon King of Fury reincarnated with memories of his past by swearing allegiance to me," the Demon King of Incarceration offered.
There was a stunned silence following this explanation.
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