I Became the Master of the Devil

At that moment, the space between Redian and Siani split apart.

 

“The ritual must be conducted alone. Others can watch but cannot interfere.”

 

It was because Kailus had created a barrier between them like a glass wall. Therefore, Redian would only see the blue lake that unfolded before his eyes.

 

He doesn’t resemble Izel. Kailus thought to himself as he looked at Redian, whom he faced once again. A beautiful yet cold face, enticing yet eerie blue eyes… It was felt that he was a completely different being, merely born from Izel’s womb, the true embodiment of the cruel and barbaric Peidion.

 

“So now, Redian…”

 

“I have sworn with my soul, so there will be no ritual.”

 

The only way to open the goddess’s lake through the Grand Temple Fides was one. Swearing with one’s blood and soul to the eternal flame that guards the gate.

 

“…”

 

Perhaps that’s why Redian stood there with unfocused eyes. There was no emotion on his fair face as he looked down at the lake.

 

“Those sunk there also all lied and thus are guilty.”

 

At that moment, Kailus gestured into the air…

 

“That’s what happened to them.”

 

The surface of the lake became clear, revealing the souls that had sunk within. The goddess did not forgive those who boldly swore they were the real sons of Izel.

 

“Just now, you said his name was Redian Hyu Rixon, right?” Despite the horrific scene, Siani muttered calmly. “You must have guessed already.”

 

“Of course.”

 

As Kailus waved his hand again, the lake returned to its original state. It was so blue to the point it was impossible to tell what it swallowed or how deep it was.

 

“But I am merely a human, so my expectations could be wrong.” Kailus smiled enigmatically, concealing his thoughts. “So, this boy must undergo the same ritual as the other participants.”

 

“This is the proof left directly by the late royal princess herself.” Then, Siani handed something to him.

 

“Ah.”

 

A radiant golden insignia…

 

“A definite proof.” Kailus immediately recognized that it was indeed Izel’s relic. Evidently, Izel had long anticipated and prepared for this moment.

 

“Great goddess.”

 

He threw Izel’s insignia into the lake.

 

“As you will.”

 

With a splash, as the insignia was swallowed, the lake calmed down.

 

“Let the princess watch till the end.”

 

At the same time, the water swirled and surged up high. The moment Siani closed and then opened her eyes upon discovering the approaching icy tidal wave.

 

“Redian…”

 

The lake swallowed the boy standing on the shore. Now, only Siani and Kailus remained in that place.

 

“Why do you look so worried when he’s the owner of the insignia anyway?”

 

Kailus said, staring at the shimmering silver lake. “Well, we’ll have to watch till the end to know the outcome.”

 

In truth, he knew the outcome. The lake will turn black since it swallowed Peidion.  He knew that the angered goddess would engulf and tear apart that body. Even if Peidion defied its fate and came this far, it was now the will of the goddess. Neither Kailus, the beast’s paws, nor the cold night, nor the darkness of the underworld could kill Redian, but… The goddess would not forgive him.

 

What?

 

However,

 

I was certain that he was definitely Peidion’s incarnation.

 

As time passed, Kailus began to doubt his own eyes. The lake, which should have violently churned to punish the devil, instead seemed to embrace the boy, calming down. Why did the goddess’s lake, which raged at even a single strand of hair, become like this…?

 

“The moment the lake’s gate opened, I heard a voice.” Then, calmly observing, Siani spoke up. “You are truly beautiful even in corruption.”

 

“…!”

 

Kailus’s gaze instantly shifted to the woman. “You heard a voice?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Whose voice are you talking about now?”

 

“The voice of someone who opened this lake.”

 

The voice of the archangel Ananke, who guards this lake and fire, and that of Ananke.

 

How could this woman have heard Ananke’s voice?  The high priest had to offer four sacrifices to awaken the sleeping Ananke and open the lake’s gate. They could never hear Ananke’s voice through the door of the Grand Temple Fides they entered.

 

“Beg for forgiveness from the goddess and return to her embrace.”

 

But it was clear from the woman’s mysterious smile. That it was no lie.

 

“In other words, the goddess will forgive and save this boy…”

 

Kailus’s expectation that the surface, having swallowed Peidion’s incarnation, would instantly darken, was completely off.

 

“The outcome is predetermined, and Redian will return.”

 

Indeed, the woman’s answer was correct. As Siani’s gaze met it, the wave calmed down without any resistance. It was as if even Ananke, guarding the lake, bowed its head toward the woman.

 

So.

 

Who exactly…

 

Kailus had to ask again.

 

Is this woman…?

 

* * *

Deep waters engulfed Redian’s body. He could only feel something soft embracing him without any clear consciousness. Just that it would be alright to die like this.

 

‘Lucifer, my morning star.’

 

But when someone’s voice reached him from a far distance.

 

“…”

 

Redian slowly opened his eyes. His consciousness was sinking deeper into the dark blue.

 

‘My beloved Lucifer.’

 

Again, a voice came from afar. This was definitely…

 

“Master.”

 

The woman was calling him.

 

“You’ve finally returned.”

 

Instantly, the empty blue pupils became eerie.

 

“I knew you would come back.”

 

This caressing wind and warm warmth, this place was not inside the lake but in the heavens. Before she abandoned him and he fell to hell, the world before that. When he monopolized her love, when she called him her morning star.

 

“Even after thousands of years, you won’t forget me, Master.”

 

He chose to fall for that reason. Even if the reason was hatred and anger, because she must not forget him.

 

“Where are you, Master?”

 

Feeling closer to the being he longed for, the corners of his mouth twisted up.

 

“How much I…”

 

When his completely submerged body reached the deepest part.

 

“Have waited.”

 

He finally spotted swirling golden hair.

 

“I’ve been looking for you…”

 

If he reached out, if he moved just a bit closer, he could clutch the being he yearned for so desperately in his embrace.

 

“How much I’ve searched.”

 

But,

 

“If you know everything, why did you only come now?”

 

The question that flowed out with his breath was soft but persistent. As if holding back all kinds of hatred and resentment.

 

“Did you hope I would grow weary trapped in time?”

 

From his eyes, reddened as if with blood, something like blood dripped down.

 

“Or did you think I wouldn’t be able to find you?”

 

Impossible.

 

When his heart, his bones, and flesh, his soul were all crafted from this woman’s hands. When the reason he was born and had to endure was solely for this woman.

 

“Theia!”

 

But there was no movement from the being that turned away. Though it was within reach, in front of the woman, he was only ever powerless. He couldn’t tear her apart or embrace her.

 

“…Master.”

 

In the end, only hot tears fell, dripping down.

 

“I… was wrong, Master.”

 

The voice carried not hatred but longing and pain.

 

“Master, just once…”

 

What he had been holding back burst forth, constricting his breath. The blood that fell from his eyes was enough to stain the sea red.

 

“Why can’t you recognize me?”

 

He had endured hell, survived endless time, and bore more pain than death itself, but.

 

“I am Lucifer, the one you loved most.”

 

In front of the woman who had turned away, he finally broke down.

 

“You’re still receiving a long punishment, Peidion.”

 

Then, at that moment.

 

“Enough, let’s stop this.”

 

He met the slowly revealed red pupils. A shiver passed through him briefly.

 

“You said you loved me.”

 

“…”

 

Stop what? Loving her? When he had never once stopped loving her in every moment, even as his breath halted and resumed?

 

“You have to see it through to the end.”

 

He had embraced even the pain of having his wings torn, and eyes gouged out, for they were marks left by her. And now to stop?

 

“How far I fall with that love you whispered about.”

 

His gaze, filled with what might have been tears or blood, twisted.

 

“Do you know why I’ve gathered your torn soul?”

 

“…”

 

“Because you must return to me. You must watch closely with your own eyes by my side!”

 

A voice mixed with madness and thirst spilled out twisted words.

 

“To see how the one you hate so much falls apart.”

 

He would die in the most tragic way before her, for she desired his destruction.

 

“Isn’t this what you call love?”

 

A hollow laugh escaped him as he continued speaking.

 

“How I’ve endured those nights, how much I’ve searched for you///”

 

Enough? What was enough?

 

“I loved you more than myself.”

 

His gaze at her turned intensely cold, questioning how her cruelty, which shattered him, could ever be considered love.

 

“Rather… I wished to die by your hand.” The words he had swallowed filled his throat, but he couldn’t say them.

 

“My Rere.”

 

As the lake, swallowing his red tears, undulated.

 

“I still love you.”

 

“…!”

 

A gentle hand slowly caressed the boy’s cheek.

 

“So, I forgive you again, isn’t that it?”

 

But before he could even feel the warmth, a fierce current swept him away.

 

“Regardless of the form, I recognized you.”

 

“…Theia.”

 

“In the end, I came to save you.”

 

Forgiving him? He looked at her incredulously, as if he couldn’t believe it.

 

“So, let’s end this now…”

 

He couldn’t ask anything more.

 

“Come back to my embrace, Rere.”

 

The being he had just managed to touch began to dissipate like bubbles.

 

“Master!” In desperation, he reached out.

 

“Ah…!”

 

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, and the breath he had been holding burst forth.

 

* * *

Redian’s blue pupils settled on the mural shining on the ceiling.

 

“…”

 

He couldn’t tell where he was or what had happened. Only that his previously drenched vision was gradually becoming clearer.

 

“Redian, you’re back.”

 

He exhaled deeply, clutching the golden insignia in his hand tightly…

 

“Thank you for coming back.”

 

And saw Siani smiling at him.

 

Though many memories tangled in his blurry consciousness, one thing was clear. Regardless of the face she wore, the name she bore, or the world she belonged to…

 

“Master.”

 

He had loved her relentlessly, every moment without a gap.

 

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