Yuriel was in a state of utter confusion for several reasons.
First, meeting the merfolk alone was bewildering. He had only ever heard of the merfolk, thinking of them as a mysterious race from ancient folklore, but now, coming face to face with them without warning was both fascinating and terrifying, leaving him at a loss.
However, what shocked him the most was the fact that the one persecuting them was none other than the Pope.
Yuriel had served God for as long as he could remember. Having spent his childhood in the temple, he lived as a servant of God without anyone needing to tell him so. It was simply natural. Serving God and dedicating his life to God was his purpose for existence.
But other priests did not think the same way.
They were always busy pursuing their selfish desires, and instead of devoutly serving God, they sometimes even committed acts of disregard toward God.
Because of this, Yuriel had sworn before God that he would never be like them. Moreover, he deeply respected the Pope, who was the closest being to God.
He believed that the Pope had walked the same thorny path as him and yet continued to serve God unwaveringly, without a single misstep.
However…
That Pope betrayed God.
He betrayed God, the priests, and the believers.
Yuriel did not want to believe it. He wanted to deny it. But the situation he had witnessed with his own two eyes left no room for further denial, for doing so would only deceive himself.
Why?
Why on earth?
Why would the Pope…?
At the same time, Yuriel held onto a glimmer of hope that the Pope had his own reasons. Whatever those reasons might be, they could never be forgiven, but Yuriel still wished to understand the Pope even a little. Only by doing so could the truth about the God he had devoted himself to remain untainted.
But then…
“Damn it. Trusting priests too much was our mistake.”
“How is that our fault? Who could’ve predicted those bastards would act like this?”
“Those cursed scumbags… The so-called messengers of God… And the Pope himself…”
The merfolk, who cursed bitterly one after another, were in poor condition, looking as though they could collapse at any moment.
Although Yuriel repeatedly used divine power, it was only a temporary measure.
They urgently needed to leave the island and receive treatment.
But they couldn’t leave. If they withdrew the barrier, they couldn’t predict when or where an attack might come. Using the magic circle they had employed on their way here was also impossible due to their sheer number.
Life is the most precious thing of all.
Then why… Why did the Pope…
Yuriel felt as though everything he had believed in until now was crumbling.
Please, save us.
Yuriel clasped his hands together and prayed earnestly.
At that moment:
“Hey, hey! Look over there! That light!”
“Ah, damn it!”
Boom!
A deafening explosion echoed, and the entire sky seemed to shake uncontrollably. Yuriel instantly recognized the energy radiating from the magic.
“The… Pope.”
Gulp.
Yuriel swallowed hard.
He denied it again and again, but reality did not change.
Thus, there was only one thing he had to do now.
“E-Everyone, step back!”
He had to act as Shekina had instructed.
Yuriel moved with precision and purpose. His priestly robe, fluttering in the wind, looked more faded than before.
***
“It took more time than expected.”
Lucifer, standing in midair, spoke.
“Who would’ve thought that the blood of the merfolk contained poison?”
“I’m sorry. I should have noticed it earlier,”
Gabriel, standing beside him, replied with his head bowed deeply.
“No, no. It was a failure born from my ignorance. So, we must make up for it, don’t you agree?”
“Yes, we’ll take care of it.”
“Ah, yes! Just leave it to us!”
In response to Gabriel and Virtus, Lucifer gave a faint smile. Then, he wiggled his right hand—the same one that had its flesh melted away by the merfolk’s poison.
Of course, it was now perfectly intact. Such poison had no lasting effect on Lucifer.
What irritated him, however, was that because of the poison, he couldn’t properly use the merfolk’s blood and had to discard it.
Well, it wasn’t a big deal. He could always return and extract more blood. Still, it would be wise to leave some members of the race alive to ensure a steady supply in the future.
“But…”
Lucifer’s brows furrowed as he looked down at the ground.
“Why can’t I see the merfolk? Hmm?”
As he said, there wasn’t a single figure moving about the island. Despite the shockwaves from earlier, which would have startled everyone, no one was in sight.
“Did they escape? No, that can’t be. The barrier hasn’t been breached, has it?”
“That’s correct. It seems they’re hiding rather than fleeing.”
“Hiding?”
A crooked smile formed on Lucifer’s lips.
“How foolish. If they had stayed put, they could have at least avoided a meaningless death.”
Tsk, tsk. He clicked his tongue and lightly snapped his fingers. Instantly, the hidden figures became visible. Each one was concealing themselves in tree vines or caves.
“All they can do is swim, and yet I tried to make them my guards. How utterly stupid.”
This was why Lucifer wanted the blood of the merfolk. Being a race that was a fusion of humans and fish, their blood lacked resistance and was ideal for creating chimeras. If Lucifer’s predictions about their utility proved true, no one would be able to stop him in the future.
Lucifer’s eyes gleamed.
“Since they lack any sense of gratitude, what should I do with them?”
“I-I’ll go down and check!”
Virtus, who had been watching for an opening, yelled out immediately.
“If you launch another major attack here, it will deplete your strength, my lord. Considering what lies ahead, it would be better to conserve your power now!”
His eyes glinted as he shouted.
“I’ll go! I’ll be of help to you, my lord! This time, I’ll make sure of it!”
Virtus had been overshadowed by Gabriel so far and had failed to show any noteworthy achievements to Lucifer. If this continued, he would inevitably be deemed useless and absorbed.
He could not let this opportunity slip by. Absolutely not.
“And what will you do if you fail?”
“That…”
“Will you give up the life you’ve barely managed to hold onto?”
Virtus took a deep breath. Lucifer was not joking. He was asking if Virtus was truly prepared to risk his life.
Failing here would mean he would be absorbed and erased anyway. Virtus had no other choice.
“I-I will. I’ll give up my life. For you, my lord!”
Lucifer’s eyes turned cold.
“How boring.”
Tsk. Clicking his tongue again, he extended his long fingers and pointed at the island.
“Go. I’ll give you ten minutes.”
“Y-Yes! I’ll go!”
Virtus flew toward the island as if someone might stop him at any moment. Lucifer brushed his hair, tousled by the wind, and let out a breath.
“How long do you plan to keep him around?”
“Hmm. Let’s see…”
Lucifer smiled wickedly in response to Gabriel’s question.
“For now, it’s still amusing, so it’s best to keep watching.”
Virtus would die anyway. In his final moments, he would be absorbed by Lucifer.
But before that, wouldn’t it be fine to let him cling to hope? Watching his desperate struggles was quite entertaining.
“Growing older makes these kinds of amusements more enjoyable—”
Ack!
At that very moment, Lucifer felt his neck being tightly grabbed from behind. No, it couldn’t be…!
“Finally.”
A familiar voice. A voice he could never forget, even after hundreds of years!
“I’ve got you.”
His arch-nemesis, Lucart.
