The Demon King's First General
Chapter 179: She Is You

Chapter 179: She Is You

Long time ago, since the very beginning of time, before everything came into light, even before the deities and sovereigns rose to their positions. There were three supreme beings who led the world to where it was now. Some said that they were the true rulers, the real creators, the pillars of Exgreia.

One built the world from nothingness, made mountains rise, soaring above the sky, deployed beasts in the depths of the ocean, and placed inhabitants in the desolate land. He created everything: deities, demons, beastmen, dragons, and humans, to the point that he exhausted all of his strength and went into an eternal slumber. He was the Architect of Existence.

Meanwhile, the second one watched the first one’s creation and controlled the cycle of death and rebirth, guiding every soul towards the process of reincarnation. He was the Usher of Life.

And the third one explored the world that the Architect built and watched the lives that the Usher managed, writing everything that he deemed important, keeping track of decisive moments and significant events that altered the course of history. He was the Sentinel of Records.

But despite all of this, only a few select individuals knew of their existence, as they didn’t involve themselves in the world. They never took anyone’s side and just watched their creations wage wars against each other.

Up until this day, the Usher and the Sentinel remained neutral while waiting for the Architect’s return.

. . . . .

"I didn’t hear that name for ages," the old man stated with a casual laugh.

Then he made a sigh and spoke again.

"You’re really a hotheaded one," he added, smiling while his hands were behind his back.

Zeny ignored his provocation and went straight to him, her scythe swirling at her side. As soon as she came closer, she aimed the jet-black blade towards the Sentinel’s neck; however, her attack was parried by just the tip of a brush.

A smile blossomed from the sovereign’s lips; she continued to strike the old man, each of her slashes aiming for his vitals.

But despite her incredible speed, all of her attacks were blocked, and the old man didn’t even move an inch from his position.

Given this fact, the sovereign changed her way of fighting; she flicked her fingers, and black orbs began to materialize, hovering around them.

The next second, Zeny leaped backward, and all of the projectiles were sent to the old man; as soon as they came into contact with his body, they exploded, creating a massive outburst in the area.

After the smoke receded, the Sentinel appeared unscathed; not a single damage could be seen on him; even his clothing was still intact.

"Hmnn, that’s a fallen’s Legacy, I presume," the old man stated, smiling.

Meanwhile, the Eighth Sovereign clicked her tongue in annoyance; the scythe in her hand disintegrated into tiny fragments before turning into several cards that fell on the top of her hand.

"I’m fed up; just grab that woman and leave," Zeny stated while shuffling the deck.

Upon hearing her words, the old man couldn’t help but laugh.

"Bored already, or did you realize that fighting against me would just be a useless struggle?" He asked as he put back the paintbrush inside his clothes.

Then he turned around and picked up the now unconscious princess. Afterward, he glanced behind to look at the sovereign and smiled.

"Thank you for sparing this young woman. Well then, we’ll be leaving," he said.

Then, a mysterious white light began to shroud them, but before they fully vanished, the Eighth Sovereign spoke with a heavy tone.

"How is he?" She asked, her gaze staring at the old man’s back.

"Him? Still strong, but a lot stronger than before," the Sentinel stated and paused, thinking, then after a while, he continued. "Now, I’m wondering who’s more powerful between the two of you this time."

Zeny Alleah didn’t reply; she just stared at the two people until they vanished from her sight.

With nothing and anything left to do, she moved her gaze upward, looking at the few cracks across the horizon.

This signified the weakening of the seal; when it collapsed completely, the gates of the underworld would open, ancient demons forgotten by the world would be set free, and everything would fall into chaos.

. . . . .

The bright light coming from the sun woke Uoiea from her deep slumber. She squinted her eyes as she opened them while raising her left hand to obstruct the extreme radiance coming from above.

"What happened? Where am I?" She said, her voice tired and exhausted.

She sat up and tried to remember the events before her consciousness drifted away. All that she knew was that the monster grazed her neck, paralyzing her and taking away her ability to move. It took her a few seconds to think, but despite racking her brain several times, she failed to discern what really happened.

In light of this fact, she roamed her gaze around. Towering trees with their branches piercing the clouds, tiny little beasts jumping underneath their shades, added by the soft hum of insects buzzing in the shrubs.

A peaceful and quiet scenery enough to calm Uoiea’s mind. It was truly a sight to behold.

She tried to call the old man inside her head, but she received no response, not even a whisper. So, she decided to stand up and saunter across the place.

’It’s beautiful,’ she conveyed inside her thoughts.

She continued her strides, and soon her eyes noticed a giant maple tree with a nearby meadow filled with countless colorful flowers.

Without wasting even a bit of time, she strode towards it. Its fragrance wafted to her nose with a strong yet sweet smell.

"Am I inside a dream?" She wondered.

Then she noticed something peculiar as she crouched down and tried to pluck a flower; her hand just passed on its petal.

’Just like in the underworld,’ she thought, realizing that she was still in ethereal form.

Uoiea stood up, and her sight caught the giant maple tree. With curiosity present in her eyes, she went towards it; however, upon reaching just a distance, she came to a halt.

She saw something that made her body freeze while questions surged like a storm inside her mind.

"H-How come?" She uttered, her voice stuttering as it escaped from her lips.

Then she heard a reply coming from behind.

"Do you believe in something called fate?" It was the old man who answered.

However, Uoiea didn’t look back; she couldn’t move her gaze away from the scenery in front.

A young man was sleeping soundly on a woman’s lap while she was sitting, leaning her back on the wide tree trunk. Both of them were asleep, and from any angle possible, they seemed like lovers.

"Who are they?" She asked, ignoring the old man’s question.

The Sentinel stepped a little closer at her side, and then he glanced at the princess.

"I firmly believe that you already know who they are," he said, but Uoiea kept her silence.

This led the old man to come up with a little introduction.

"Hmnn, that man is the same man that you met in Frostbloom Kingdom," he paused for a second and moved his gaze back to the two people before continuing his words. "I assume I don’t need to tell you about who the woman is. After all, the resemblance is enough to deliver the truth."

"Are you implying that it is me?" Uoiea replied; a hint of doubt was present in her voice.

The old man didn’t answer right away; he stepped a little closer and gestured for the princess to come.

Uoiea followed the old man’s steps, and they stopped just a few meters away from the couple.

"Take a look at her carefully. Those round eyes and hair darker than black. The other features of her face, her lips, nose, and cheeks. Don’t they greatly resemble yours?" The old man stated.

As if a cold bucket of water was poured onto the princess, she found herself in a daze, contemplating the old man’s words.

"You are she, and she is you," the old man added.

Then he waved his hand, and the surroundings began to change. The current scene crumbled into fragments bit by bit; it was replaced by an overwhelming darkness, and images started to take shape.

Like a stage play, the illustrations came to life, highlighting how the two people cared for each other. Uoiea watched everything and didn’t move her gaze away, and then, without her even knowing, tears began to run down her cheeks.

"These are your past life memories," the old man said.

Afterward, the scenery started to change once more. Uoiea stared at the new scene, and her mouth was left partially open in disbelief while a heavy feeling occupied her chest, as if hundreds of knives punctured her heart.

Her legs trembled, their strength dispersing every second, but despite this, she continued to stare at the scene where a man holding a woman’s lifeless body could be seen.

That pair of eyes that was already void of life lost even the remaining glimmer they only had. The man lifted his head and looked at the individual standing before him, a man holding a translucent burning blade.

Their gaze locked in a silent exchange when something snapped.

Then, the ground trembled, and a suffocating pressure enveloped the air while the red dice spun, its surface with six white skulls radiating light.

. . . . .