Chapter 14: The Demon’s Voice, The Angel’s Truth

Rumble

The trio reached the end of the dungeon.

Having destroyed all the golems, the final door blocking their path slowly began to open.

“Is this the end of the dungeon?”

Bisus walked in slowly, acting as if it were his first time here.

In truth, he’d only read about this place in the novel, so it was his first time.

Inside the door was a small room.

At its center, on a desk, sat a small chest.

Bisus approached and picked it up.

He’s been here before.

He’s been here, hasn’t he?

Seeing him casually enter and grab the chest despite the possibility of traps, both women were convinced Bisus had visited this dungeon in a past life.

He opened the chest.

Inside was a small bracelet.

Exactly as in the novel!

Bisus’s face lit up as he saw the item from Eclipse, just as he’d hoped.

The artifact sealing the great demon Lucifer.

Incredibly dangerous due to the demon’s presence, its overflowing demonic energy could corrupt and erode its user’s body.

Yet, it was a double-edged sword, granting immense power.

In Eclipse, the protagonist’s party obtained the bracelet but couldn’t use it properly.

Its demonic influence required periodic purification with overwhelming holy power, which they couldn’t manage.

But my situation is different.

Bisus glanced at Artoria.

The way she’d obliterated those golems earlier…

Her power now seemed even greater than in the novel’s later stages.

If her dreams granted her this strength, she might be able to purify the artifact immediately.

He held up the bracelet.

– Kill!

– Revenge! Sweet revenge against those vile angels!

– Kill the women before you!

The moment he touched it, malevolent voices filled his mind.

Countless whispers overwhelmed him, dulling his senses.

Though the novel mentioned the demon’s will, Bisus hadn’t expected it to be this intense.

– Kill them!

“…Kill.”

Overwhelmed by the voices, Bisus’s hand instinctively reached for his sword.

His eyes turned blood-red.

– Kill the woman with holy power! It’s the day of vengeance!

“Kill Artoria… No, I can’t.”

Half-drawing his sword, he shook his head.

What nonsense. How could I kill her?

He recalled Artoria’s radiant smile as she bombarded golems with hundreds of holy swords.

The overwhelming gap in power.

He knew he’d be crushed the moment he tried anything, and the demon’s influence shattered under that realization.

…That was close.

I grabbed a demon-sealed bracelet too recklessly.

If I’d been fully controlled and attacked Artoria…

She’d probably be fine, but it could’ve been dangerous.

In the novel, Janice heard the demon’s voices but shook them off easily, so Bisus thought he could too.

I underestimated Janice’s mental strength.

Meanwhile, Sofia and Artoria, watching Bisus’s eyes turn red and back, had their own thoughts:

It’s certain. He came here with that imperial wench.

My lord husband… you’ve used that bracelet before…

“Artoria, can you purify this bracelet?”

Bisus approached her, holding it out.

“Purify it?”

Artoria looked at the bracelet, sensing its sinister aura.

“I can do it!”

As she channeled her holy power, the malevolent energy subsided.

“Thanks, Artoria.”

“No problem… I’d do anything for you, my lord husband.”

Confirming the demon’s will had faded, Bisus picked up the bracelet again.

Since the demon’s power sustained the artifact, one purification wasn’t enough.

He’d need Artoria’s help regularly.

Creak

Back in his room, Bisus closed the door.

Though the dungeon’s rewards should’ve been shared, both women let him keep the bracelet.

He looked at it on his wrist.

The great demon’s bracelet.

Since wearing it, vitality surged through him.

He felt he could overwhelm Naber in a single move now.

It was a clumsy moment, nearly being controlled by the demon’s will, but I’ve grown a step further.

I successfully completed my first real combat in the dungeon and obtained the artifact as planned.

If things keep going this smoothly, I can survive the apocalypse!

Filled with pride, Bisus lay on his bed.

Exhausted from the dungeon, he quickly fell asleep.

Flash

Bisus found himself in an unfamiliar space.

Another dream?

Where am I?

A white void?

No, above the clouds.

He stood on a ground-like expanse of clouds.

The heavens, perhaps?

Boom

A mass of dark energy coalesced before him, forming a human shape.

“Archangel Bisus…”

The figure spread massive black wings, gazing down at him.

“Lucifer.”

As in his previous dream, his mouth moved on its own.

Lucifer?

Is that woman the great demon Lucifer sealed in the bracelet?

“To think you turned the tide of battle with a single move. Truly Deus’s first angel.”

Lucifer gave a seductive smile.

“No interest in joining us? If you do, I could give you the highest seat in Pandemonium. Anything you desire could be yours.”

“No interest.”

“…Right. You only care about her, don’t you?”

“Don’t you dare speak her name with that filthy mouth!”

“Hahaha. I thought you were emotionless, but I guess not? I should’ve targeted that woman first. Oh well, I’ll get her next time.”

“There won’t be a next time for you.”

Hum

A massive wave of holy power enveloped Bisus and Lucifer.

“A domain? When did you—!”

Lucifer panicked as Bisus’s domain appeared without warning.

“You end here.”

The holy power formed a colosseum-like structure.

A prison of divine energy, inescapable.

“A trap, huh?”

“When the battle’s tide turns, I knew a prideful creature like you would come alone. No other moves were possible.”

“Such a pity for talent like yours to rot as an angel.”

Boom

As Lucifer unleashed demonic energy, Bisus drew a holy sword and charged.

“You’re not leaving.”

“What, planning to trap us both here forever? If you seal this domain, you’ll be stuck too.”

“I don’t care. I trust her.”

“Ugh, angels! …Fine, let’s make a bet. Will Pandemonium reach us first, or will your beloved get here? The loser stays sealed here forever.”

Boom

Lucifer’s demonic sword clashed with Bisus’s holy sword.

Flash

A familiar ceiling.

Chirp chirp

Birdsong told Bisus he’d awakened back in his room.

A dream… right?

This time, it seemed like a piece of Artoria’s dream.

I was an angel facing a demon.

Lucifer.

The demon sealed in yesterday’s bracelet.

Is it the same one?

Bisus picked up the bracelet from his desk.

Whirr

A light emanated from his hand.

“What the—!”

Holy power?

It was the same light priests used.

Why is holy power coming from me?

– Bisus! It’s you!

A voice began to echo from the bracelet.

What now?!