Chapter 174: The End Of The Third Ordeal

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༺ The End Of The Third Ordeal ༻

"Hmm…"

Ferloche sat on the ground, shivering, her gaze ensnared by the ominous black radiance emanating from the Demon God, who had just made an entrance.

"So, how are you feeling?"

Likewise, with a gaze fixed on Ferloche, the Demon God asked her with a cold voice.

"How do you feel… about deceiving me this far?"

"Uh… Do I know you?"

"….Ha."

She let out a forced chuckle, unimpressed at the pitiful act of Ferloche playing dumb.

"You can't forever hide in your subconscious…"

The Demon God slowly approached Ferloche and right as she opened her mouth.

"Ah, Frey!"

"…..!"

Serena's eyes widened, looking towards where Frey had previously disappeared. Meanwhile, the Demon God's face morphed into one of shock, as her entire body trembled in fear.

"…So, it turned out the Demon God is actually a coward."

Serena's mocking words were muffled by the fan obscuring her face.

"You were too scared to reveal yourself before, weren't you? That was why you waited for Frey to leave first. Now that he is gone, you strut out with such confidence, even though you still tremble in fear at the mere mention of his name."

"..."

"Well, indeed, it must be quite embarrassing…for a divine being to be beaten to the brink of death by a mere mortal."

"…Shut your mouth."

The Demon God, who flinched at Serena's words, glowered with icy clarity.

"…..!"

At the same time, the girls fell silent.

– Boom boom boom!!

– Whoosh!!

Clana's solar magic and Irina's fireball shot towards the Demon God simultaneously.

"Enough."

But the Demon God dismissed them with a mere mutter.

– Crackle… Crackle…

As a massive screen appeared in the air, she started to manipulate the complex symbols on the window.

"…So, what brought you here?"

After a while, when the restraint magic had somewhat lifted, Serena once again directed a question to the Demon God.

"Since you used tricks to uncover the truth, I've come to exercise my rightful authority."

"… Your rightful authority?"

"Well, actually, I came here to do something that requires all the necessary energy to be gathered."

The Demon God continued with an irritated voice, followed by a sigh.

"From now on, none of you can disclose the 'System Owner' identity to anyone."

The girls' expressions twisted briefly upon hearing this but quickly returned to normal in the next moment.

"No, it's not just you five. It is the same for everyone. Anyone who has given a 'Penalty' to the System Owner cannot reveal the truth to those who haven't yet given a penalty."

Serena's lips twitch slightly upward at those words before quickly returning to neutral.

"…..?"

Staring at her with suspicious eyes, the Demon God started speaking again with a smile.

"In a way, isn't it a good outcome for you as well? You won't accidentally reveal Frey's identity to others…"

"…However, in return, now the identity of the Demon King also can't be disclosed to others."

The Demon God gazed at Serena with a nonchalant expression, before smirking.

"Hm… How does that sound? Fair, isn't it? Shouldn't the rule be equally applied to both the Hero and the Demon King?"

"…What's your reason for personally appearing before us to let us know about this?"

The Demon God answered with a bright smile in response to that question.

"It's because I'm hungry."

"Huh?"

"I used up too much divine power to create this new rule… So, I've come here to personally feed on the strong feelings of guilt emanating from all of you"

"…"

"Of course, the annoyance you just felt is included, too."

The Demon God responded with a satisfied smile before continuing to manipulate complex formulas while muttering to herself.

"Oh, by the way, you know what?"

Suddenly, she spoke out with a sinister expression.

"Even if Frey somehow manages to win… there's no hope for him."

The girls' expressions hardened upon hearing those ominous words.

"W-What does that mean…?"

Among those girls, it was Kania who asked the question with a trembling voice.

"Kania, an anomalous warlock that I can't subjugate as my subordinate…"

The Demon God whispered while showing an alluring smile.

"Do you want to be on my side? I'll grant you power and authority surpassing even the Demon King."

"Cut that out! What do you mean by what you just said?"

As if unfazed by the Demon God's proposal, Kania retorted with a fiery gaze and her voice raised.

"Why doesn't the seduction work on that child… She's clearly a warlock, and her mental strength is very low…"

Looking at her with a tinge of disappointment, the Demon God replied with a slight smile.

"Well, you've all seen it, haven't you? Frey wished for 'annihilation'."

Kania's expression stiffened.

"Frey has already made a wish to my foolish sister… Therefore, even if he manages to win against the Demon King this cycle, it'll still be the end."

"...!!!"

"Frey was well aware of this fact… He didn't tell you after all, did he?"

"T-That's…"

"Well, a kind-hearted fool like him would probably manipulate the evidence and try to make excuses. But he no longer has the chance to. After all, it's a matter that has been confirmed by the natural laws of the world."

The Demon God gleefully stared at the girls' pale faces.

"Ah… How satisfying."

Soon, a look of ecstasy spread across her face.

"I wonder why my sister finds 'happiness' and 'love' so delicious. These kinds of emotions are the best source of energy."

True to her words, she eagerly absorbed the auras that manifested around the girls.

"Well, alright. The settings have now been changed…"

While continuously absorbing the girls' negative energy, the Demon God began to murmur and stare at the manipulated screen once again.

"Now, first, I should apply it to those who know Frey's true identity…"

Peering at the girls with a mischievous glint, she intentionally raised her murmuring voice. As the girls flinched, the Demon God once again sucked in their negativity, relishing the taste.

"Alright, Kania. Irina. Clana. Application complete."

"Then next… It's time for our adorable Ruby…"

With a more joyful smile than ever, Demon God turned the screen.

"…Huh?"

She suddenly tilted her head in confusion.

"W-What is this?"

In a split second, her expression turned flustered as she began muttering.

"T-there should definitely be one penalty…? Why is the object value missing?"

Encountering an unexpected obstacle, the Demon God furrowed her brow in annoyance as she continued to mumble.

"Damn it, why did I create something so complex… How can I apply the rules like this…? No, it might just be a simple error…"

"…F-Frey!?"

Suddenly, Serena's expression turned astonished as she looked behind the Demon God. With a cold demeanor, the Demon God turned to Serena and spoke.

"You mischievous child, don't think I'll be fooled by you twice. Do you perhaps believe that I will put up with your audacity forever?"

"Ah…"

"The principle behind the moon's radiance, you're clever enough to know it well, right? Do you think night will always be a safe time for you?"

"…"

"That's right. From now on, I'll increase the surveillance several times over, so struggle to your heart's content in fear of when you might get caught. The more you do that, the more I…"

Witnessing Serena's countenance stiffening upon hearing these words, the Demon God wore a pleased expression, punctuated by a sarcastic smile.

"I…"

However, she abruptly ceased speaking and widened her eyes.

"Ah, huh?"

The abrupt change was triggered by the unmistakable surge of stellar mana behind her.

"Frey… you've really come!"

At the same time, Serena's expression had finally turned to one of true joy.

"Heh, heh…"

While twitching continuously, the Demon God's form turned into black smoke, a she vanished instantly.

– Plop…!

"...….."

A prolonged silence enveloped the room.

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"…Sigh."

As she stared at the black smoke left behind by the Demon God's disappearance, Serena's attitude swiftly changed and she let out a sigh.

"If she has any shame left, she won't appear again."

Shortly thereafter, a bead made of stellar mana, the gift that Frey gave to her on his birthday, entered her sight.

"…From whom do you dare absorb energy?"

It was this moment that made Serena's outstanding wit shine. She had rolled the bead towards the door while the Demon God's attention was diverted due to the unexpected event.

"Anyway, that was quite beneficial."

Gently picking up the still-spinning bead, Serena cradled it carefully in her arms. Soon, a satisfied expression surfaced as she began to contemplate.

'First… The Absolute Obedience Magic I casted previously will allow me to evade the penalty, so there's no hindrance to the plan…'

'Judging from the Demon God's reaction, perhaps even the identity of the 'one coincidence'…'

"Is Young Master… really fated to die?"

"…..?"

Kania's absentminded voice rang out, causing Serena to cock her head.

"To think that I had been relieved after realizing the existence of the Sun God's wish…"

"Oh, no. I can't let that happen."

"Frey…"

Kania, Irina, and Clana were plunged into despair after hearing Demon God's words.

"Why are they reacting like this?"

This left Serena puzzled, a question mark hovering in her mind as she pondered their peculiar behavior.

"Ah."

Soon, she furrowed her brow and muttered inwardly.

'They're acting this way because they believe that the Demon God's words are true.'

'But, it seems the Demon God surprisingly doesn't know as much as I thought.'

Serena had already identified the Demon God's weaknesses.

Ever since her battle of wits with Ruby, Serena had been formulating plans without being certain of Ruby's identity through the use of the 'Absolute Obedience Magic.'

If the Demon God had been aware of that fact, she might have taken it into consideration earlier when creating the new rules. However, she had merely placed restrictions on the penalties.

'Well, it's only natural that she wouldn't know what transpired during the night…'

Furthermore, the Demon God also didn't know about the DLC.

Even during the recent unexpected situation that seemed like ' one coincidence', she had genuinely been taken aback.

Serena, having thoroughly studied all the prophecies, knew about the legendary Hero Hanbyeol's involvement, which had led to the emergence of a 'New Wish Ticket.'

"Everyone, I have something to say…"

With these considerations in mind, Serena tried to reassure the girls with a smile. However, she abruptly closed her mouth, an astonished expression struck on her face.

"….."

'If I explain everything now, there's a possibility that Demon God might catch on.'

Moments earlier, the Demon God had clearly stated that she would intensify surveillance multiple times over.

And considering she mentioned that the moon reflected sunlight and emitted light… Perhaps she had acquired means to conduct surveillance even at night.

So…

'For now, I should postpone sharing information until I find a safe method to do so.'

Serena, wearing a gentle smile once more, addressed the girls who were focusing their attention on her.

"Hope certainly still exists."

"…Really?"

"So, please don't worry too much."

As Serena finished speaking, a moment of silence fell among the girls.

"Th- that's right… There is hope… I believe that…"

"Y- yeah, I'll do my best…"

"I'll also do my best to use my powers to find a solution…"

Gradually, the girls composed themselves, but their voices still quivered as they muttered.

'…How should I explain this?'

Contemplating this, Serena began to formulate more plans for the future, as her head throbbed from overuse.

"…T-Then, I'll head out first."

Suddenly, as Irina turned around and headed towards the exit, Serena instinctively sensed danger and snapped back to her senses.

"Irina, where are you in reality?"

Shortly after, Serena directed a question at Irina.

"…Frey's dormitory."

Irina answered calmly.

"So, what do you plan to do after you wake up?"

Serena posed another question to Irina.

"A-Ask Frey questions… and if what the Demon God said is true…"

Irina looked pale when she uttered those words. As soon as she finished speaking, without giving anyone a chance to stop her, she darted toward the exit.

"…Before it's too late, I'll devote myself to him."

"W-wait…!"

"Wait up!!"

As she did, both Kania and Clana, who had their attention elsewhere, hurried toward the exit and dashed out.

"…Ugh."

Seeing this, Serena, fell into deep contemplation, as she stared blankly at Ferloche, who stood up from the ground.

"…Yawn."

"Ah! It was just a dream, after all!"

"You were urgently saying something when you were watching the video with Frey…"

Serena cautiously continued her questions.

"Huh? Uh…oh? I had my eyes closed until the scary ghost disappeared. But it seems like I'm still in a dream! The ghost vanished, but the place is still the same…"

"…Sigh."

As Ferloche rambled on…

"…You can't fool me, Miss Ferloche."

In a hushed voice, Serena whispered in Ferloche's ear and then started heading towards the exit.

"What do you mean I can't fool you? Miss Serena… Argh! Don't leave me!"

Serena urgently disappeared through the exit, and Ferloche, wearing a bewildered expression, soon followed suit.

– Crackle…

At that moment, the Judgment Room was enveloped in light. The Third Ordeal had finally come to an end.

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"Hmmm…"

I quietly opened my eyes.

Nothing was going to suddenly start again, right? I've had enough of extra ordeals, traps, or new variables.

On the day I completed the third main quest, I was utterly exhausted after enduring an incredibly lengthy Third Ordeal that was practically a trip down history. Now, I wanted to take a break and focus on preparing for the second year.

"…Oh."

I slowly opened my eyes as I thought this, and thankfully, I could see my dormitory room. Seeing the moon and stars outside the window, it seemed like it was nighttime at the moment.

"Phew…"

This meant that the long and eventful incidents of the second semester had finally come to an end. I might finally have some time to catch my breath.

"…..?"

It was then that I saw Irina and Kania lying face down on my bed as I glanced to the side.

The area around them was filled with magic formulas and scrolls.

These must be the products of the attempts to intervene in my ordeals.

"…Sigh."

How could I despise these girls who worked so hard for me? No matter how much I thought about it, the 'judgment' was far too easy…

"Frey!"

"Whoa, you startled me."

While I was pondering this, Irina suddenly raised her head and cried out, as if she was seeing a ghost.

What was going on? Did something happen?

"S-so, in the end, you're destined to perish with the Demon King…?"

"Huh? Uh, yeah…"

Taken aback, I nodded in response to Irina's question.

"Th-then, what happens next…?"

As Irina urgently asked another question to me, I scratched my head before responding.

"Kania didn't tell you, did she? She should have known everything."

"S-So, you're really… going to die?"

"…..?"

But something seemed off. What was Irina talking about?

"Uh… No? I'm not going to die."

"….."

Because her words were so strange, I furrowed my brow as I responded, and Irina's countenance didn't seem right.

"Uh… What's this? I'm not dying. You saw it, too, right? In the ordeal, I made a wish to the Sun God."

"Fre…y…"

With a serious expression, I explained to her, but suddenly, Irina choked up.

"Th-That, you should have known it if you saw that, right? I have a wish granted by the Sun God. So when everything's over, I just have to ask for resurrection. There'll be no problem…"

I wasn't sure what was going on, but before anything, I thought I should put out this fire that came out of nowhere.

However…

"I… love… you…"

"…Ugh."

Suddenly, Irina climbed onto me.

"I love you… You fool."

"I-Irina?"

"…Sorry, I got carried away and didn't think this through."

She said this, and then…

"However…"

"…..?"

"B-Before it's too late…"

I was about to say something as she nestled in my arms. However, a cat suddenly rushed over from somewhere and urgently bit her ankle.

"Meow!!"

"Ouch!"

"Kuoooh!!"

"Gugu!!"

"…Chirp."

Thanks to that, a startled Irina stood up from her seat and, in the next moment, started to be dragged away by the owl, dove, and canary that had flown in from the window.

"W-Wait, just a moment…!"

".......?"

I didn't know what was going on, but for now, I just wanted to relax during this vacation.

You can read 505 episodes for $10. p.*atreon.com/Astrid02