I Became the Master of the Devil

Sunlight poured in through the high ceiling and the colored stained glass windows. The intricately mixed light fell onto Redian’s face.

 

“I’m curious about what comes next, but I can’t seem to read it, Master,” Redian murmured, dropping his gaze to the book. “No matter how many times I try, I just can’t…”

 

His voice suggested he didn’t know why either.

 

“Could you read it for me?”

 

“…Read it to you?”

 

It was rare for Redian to ask me for anything. Except for the promise to ‘protect him,’ this was almost the first time. Though slightly taken aback, I saw no reason not to.

 

“Well, okay.”

 

It was just reading a book, after all. I happily took the book Redian was holding.

 

“Sit here.”

 

There was a long wooden bench against the library wall. I took the book to it, sat down, and tapped the seat next to me.

 

“…”

 

Then, Redian quietly came and sat next to me.

 

He must still be feeling unwell.

 

The corners of his eyes were red. Both the injuries from the monster hunting competition and being out in the rain all night seemed to have not yet healed.

 

Is it just me…?

 

It was strange. Lately, there were times when Redian seemed unfamiliar. Despite now following me so well compared to when he was first bloodied and defiant… It’s getting harder to understand him.

 

Back then, I could immediately tell what he was thinking just by looking into his eyes. But now, it was harder to discern what Redian was thinking.

 

Right. It must be just me.

 

I pushed away the needless thoughts and turned my gaze to the book. “I never thought I’d end up reading a book to a grown man.”

 

“You used to call me a child,” Redian mumbled, seemingly discontent.

 

“Oh, did you hear that?”

 

It seemed he had heard what I said to Aeron. I expected him to scowl or bristle as he usually did when treated like a child.

 

“Master doesn’t realize how much…” Redian leaned his head against the wall, closing his eyes. “How much I’m holding back.” His response was calm yet peculiar.

 

Holding back?

 

Maybe it was the late summer afternoon’s quietness in the library. Or perhaps it was Redian’s voice that seemed locked away and lethargic. It felt as if time had stopped between him and me.

 

“The world at the beginning was under the goddess’s protection, solely peaceful.”

 

Watching Redian’s long lashes, I turned my gaze back to the book.

 

“A legion leading evil, unhappiness, and sorrow didn’t exist, only peace.”

 

I slowly began to speak.

 

“The name of the being most loved by the goddess was ‘Lucifer.’.”

 

At that moment, a heavy bell toll rang out from the distant temple to honor the goddess. At this moment, everyone should bow their heads and worship the goddess. However, Redian didn’t move at the sound of the bell. Neither did I.

 

“Lucifer was the most handsome and greatest angel of heaven.”

 

In the sacred silence, only my voice resonated softly.

 

“The goddess bestowed upon him the position to oversee heaven, graced him, and called him my light, my morning star, my child.”

 

“…”

 

The story continued as such. Lucifer also loved the goddess, but their love for each other was different. Unlike the goddess’s benevolent love for everyone, his love gradually turns into a deeper, darker hue.

 

“Lucifer killed the humans loved by the goddess.”

 

He destroyed the peace loved by the goddess. He drenched the world loved by the goddess in blood.

 

“So that the goddess’s love would reach only him.”

 

“…”

 

“So that the goddess would look only at him, instead of the foolish humans and flowers that would eventually wilt.”

 

I had to pause reading in that section. What is he thinking? Looking at Redian, he was still with crossed arms, eyes closed. His face, shaded by silver hair, was expressionless.

 

Why was Redian reading this book?

 

“The goddess was furious and wished never to see Lucifer again.”

 

Only my voice reading the book could be heard as if the world had stopped.

 

“She plucked the wings she had given to Lucifer and even took away his beautiful silver hair.”

 

“…”

 

“With his wings torn, Lucifer clung to the goddess and wept.”

 

“…”

 

“Take everything, but do not abandon me.”

 

However, the goddess did not forgive Lucifer. Witnessing the evil awakened in the being she loved most, the goddess was enraged with betrayal.

 

“I will take back even the name I affectionately called you, thinking of you as the bearer of light, Lucifer.”

 

The goddess wept as she looked upon the devastated world. Her tears were enough to create the spring of Nornu. The spring would turn black and rot wherever Lucifer’s trace touched.

 

“Even after thousands of years, ensure Lucifer never finds her again.”

 

The extent of the goddess’s anger towards Lucifer was evident.

 

“Thus, Lucifer lost the wings and the name given by the goddess.”

 

It was just a legend in mythology, yet my voice lost strength as I read.

 

“The abandoned Lucifer chose the path of destruction and corruption for himself.”

 

Having fallen into hell by his own will, Lucifer was resurrected as the king of the underworld…

 

“He was Peidion.”

 

Peidion.

 

The moment I uttered that name, I inadvertently held my breath. An odd feeling washed over me.

 

“…”

 

Looking at Redian, he still had his eyes closed. Unlike me, whose voice trembled slightly while reading, he seemed peaceful, almost lethargic.

 

“Peidion destroyed every place touched by the goddess’s hand and gaze.”

 

The world crafted by the goddess’s hands was shattered, and the humans breathed life through her, suffering.

 

“Ah, my Lucifer is dead, and there’s no stopping Peidion now.”

 

The goddess, looking at her world turned into hell, said, “I will disappear.”

 

No, no! cried the weeping angels, their tears falling like heavy rain to the earth.

 

“Only by annihilating my soul into pieces can Peidion be stopped.”

 

Thus, Peidion would wander for thousands of years, searching for the pieces of the goddess’s soul scattered everywhere…

 

“This world will be colored again with the peace I loved.”

 

The ceaseless rain overflowed rivers and flowers and trees were deeply submerged in the sea.

 

“Even if my soul pieces scatter everywhere, they will be resurrected even if they fall into hell.”

 

But the goddess was resolute.

 

“Because Peidion will chase me to the ends of hell to gather my soul pieces.”

 

I couldn’t go on any further.

 

“Thus, he will be sealed in time, and Meteora will be founded.”

 

Having read up to that point, I looked up sharply.

 

The founding myth that appeared in the original story was really just a part. Even from just this reading, it was clear it wasn’t merely a battle between a devil king and a goddess. Moreover…

 

In this deserted library at this time, Redian gave me this book. Could it really be a coincidence? An indescribable silence filled the space between Redian and me.

 

“Lucifer…?”

 

The moment I unwittingly muttered that name.

 

“It’s also Rere here.”

 

 Redian responded without any reaction, still with his eyes closed. It seemed he had been listening to my voice all along.

 

“What?”

 

“Lucifer, it’s Rere, isn’t it?”

 

Redian unexpectedly joked and briefly smiled. But I couldn’t smile back at him.

 

“Redian, do you understand the story in this book?” I asked impulsively.

 

How could turning an angel into the king of the underworld, angering the goddess, be love? This wasn’t love; it was a twisted obsession, desire, and possessiveness. The very things I despised…

 

“Ah, it’s such a nonsensical story. It’s upsetting.”

 

“Why doesn’t it make sense?”

 

Then, leaning against the wall, Redian slowly opened his eyes. His blue eyes revealed through the sunlight, seemed somehow profound.

 

“So you understand this story?” I asked him, slightly agitated.

 

“I don’t think Lucifer’s feelings for the goddess were love at all.”

 

“Why isn’t it love?” Redian asked me again.

 

“That too…” His gaze intensely fixed on me before dropping. “Enough to be called as love.”

 

 A firm answer fell.

 

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