Clay, who had been reborn as a new entity through experimentation, had returned to his original state.

With Clay’s permission, Lin and Golche examined his body in more detail.

The brands imprinted by the priests, the things that had been overlaid to remove those brands, and all traces of his completely altered constitution had vanished without a trace.

It was as if he had never been tortured and had never undergone any changes.

The pure body of the Hero, just as it was.

“No way.”

The only thing that remained in Clay’s body was the symbiote, indicating that he hadn't completely reverted to his old self.

“Normally, it’s absolutely impossible to do this.”

Swallowing dryly, Lin looked at Clay.

“You’re saying this happened because of Crea’s authority?”

“Yes.”

Clay answered calmly.

“To be precise, Crea was used. Another being forced Crea to manifest that authority.”

“Who was the culprit?”

“Neville.”

The crown prince of Krata, who had been assisting the Demon King’s army until recently.

“Lutan was just a shell. He was already dead.”

“Neville…”

Lin’s expression hardened.

“So you’re saying that man planned all of this?”

“The one who planned everything is Elhaen.”

Clay said.

“Neville is merely Elhaen’s puppet.”

“This is a real headache.”

Lin clutched her head with her small hands.

“Elhaen, what does that bastard want? Does he want to laugh at us? To show off that he can do something like this?”

Instead of killing Clay who had become the Demon King, he had reverted him to the body of the Hero. Thinking about it simply, it seemed like nothing more than an act to show off his power and mock his opponent.

“Lin.”

Clay said softly.

“Elhaen is trying to descend into this world through me.”

“What?”

Lin wore a bewildered expression.

“What does that mean?”

“It’s just as I said. Elhaen intends to manifest in this world by entering my body.”

He had decided to use Clay as a medium to reduce the burden of a direct descent and successfully establish himself in this world.

“In order to use the power of this world, it seems he needs to obtain the body of a creature that is accepted as part of this world.”

In other words, Elhaen was trying to be reborn as an even more powerful god.

“To become strong enough to drive out all the other gods who are wary of him.”

“He wants this world that badly?”

Lin looked disgusted.

“I really hate it.”

“Your Majesty.”

Golche spoke up.

“But then, does that mean Elhaen is being watched by other external gods?”

“That’s right.”

“I wonder why those external gods haven’t attacked Elhaen already…”

“Because he is strong even now.”

The reason was simple.

“Even if you don’t like someone, it’s a different story when you have to risk your own life. As long as he’s not targeting them, it’s only natural that they would just watch.”

“This is a truly difficult situation.”

Golche shifted its massive frame.

“I’m not sure how we should fight an external god strong enough to do this to you, Your Majesty. Would you like to try modifying your body once more?”

“……”

Clay was silent for a moment. In truth, there was a limit to what Lin and Golche could do. He had called them knowing this, but,

‘This is bleak.’

Even Clay couldn't help but feel his mind go blank.

‘Even if I modify my body again, it’s uncertain whether I’ll get the desired result.’

He had already taken a huge risk when he first modified his body. He didn't know what would happen if he attempted it again with his reverted body. Besides, it wasn't as if his body had completely returned to its former state.

‘Because of the symbiote.’

His body had a variable. A wrong choice could lead to consequences he couldn't handle.

“Lin.”

“Huh?”

“Elhaen is continuously bestowing divine power upon me. It seems to be for the purpose of his descent into my body, but can you check if he can easily cut it off at will from his side?”

At Clay’s question, Lin frowned slightly.

“Hmm…, I’m not sure. I don’t know if I can figure something like that out.”

She looked at Clay’s body again, holding a magi-tech tool that looked like a magnifying glass.

“The divine power seems to be stuck to Clay’s body in a very sticky way. It’s too strongly bonded for it to be simply maintaining Clay’s body for his descent.”

Then, Lin’s eyes widened.

“This… this might be that phenomenon.”

“What phenomenon?”

“I don’t know if it really existed, but among the ancient magics whose lore has been lost, there’s something called a black hole.”

A phenomenon where if you create a black hole, things nearby are continuously sucked into it.

The magic that causes it.

“Creating a black hole takes an enormous amount of mana, but once it’s made, it operates on its own. Regardless of the caster’s will.”

“So you’re saying…”

“This could be that kind of thing.”

Lin said as if muttering to herself.

“He only intended to make you into a body suitable for him, but now a kind of inertia has been created that he can no longer control. The fact that divine power continuously flows into you regardless of your state is similar to the black hole phenomenon.”

“Can such a thing… exist?”

“O-of course, it’s just a possibility. I don’t know for sure either. And I wonder if this world would even be intact if someone could create a black hole in the first place.”

Lin answered with an unconfident tone. Although the information was uncertain, Clay mulled over her words several times.

‘If it’s really like that…’

There might be a way to fight.

“By the way, Lin.”

Golche, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.

“I know you’re surprised, but is it okay to speak so casually to His Majesty?”

“Huh?”

“If Beatrice were here, she would have said something.”

At those words, Lin belatedly looked cautious, and Clay spoke softly to her.

“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

Lin was one of the first people who had welcomed Clay when he came to Barungenia. Clay didn't want to question her attitude now.

“Besides, I was hoping for that kind of honesty right now.”

Clay knew nothing about this phenomenon. If Lin could share everything she knew, Clay didn't mind if she treated him as she had in the past.

“Lin, I need someone who can give me necessary opinions without reservation. You are perfect for that.”

“Uh, yeah.”

“And Golche, don’t be upset that I’m saying this to Lin. Lin is a great contributor who first agreed to help make me the Demon King.”

At his words, Golche’s gaze turned to Lin, as if asking if that was true.

Lin, seemingly remembering that time, wore an awkward expression.

“Well, it was about being helpful, you know.”

“You were helpful. What you just told me was helpful too.”

Clay spoke to Syltanaro, who was waiting by his side.

“Syltanaro. Bring Selimia.”

“Selimia, you say? Is it alright to let her know of Your Majesty’s condition?”

“It’s fine. I have that much trust in her.”

At that, Syltanaro bowed his head.

“Understood. I will bring her.”

Clay watched Syltanaro leave for a moment, then turned to Lin and Golche.

“You two, also look for anything that might be helpful for my body.”

It was unlikely to yield great results, but he thought it would be good to prepare anything more he could.

“Got it.”

“Understood.”

After replying, Lin and Golche left. Clay remained alone and placed a hand on his own body.

“Crea.”

There was no answer.

Nevertheless, Clay spoke.

“I intend to fight Elhaen.”

For that, he also needed the power of the ancient god who had already been defeated by Elhaen.

“I would appreciate it if you would ponder what you can do from there.”

The snowball had begun to roll.

***

### ♧

*Whoooosh.*

The capital of Krata.

The place was devastated. As a result of the arduous battle, buildings had collapsed and the ground was cracked. The survivors had fled to safe places, so the surroundings were truly quiet.

“Hah…”

On the rubble, a humanoid Beatrice sat.

“It’s really not easy.”

She sighed as she looked around.

“I said I would take charge of this place in Clay’s stead, but…”

Even she had no idea where to start in this completely ruined place.

At least some of the Demon King's army remaining in the capital were clearing the debris and cleaning the streets.

The sight of it wasn't even funny to Beatrice.

“This isn’t a job for the Demon King’s army.”

But it was also true that only the Demon King’s army could do it. You couldn't rule over a place that was in ruins. This was an unavoidable reality.

‘What’s even more absurd…’

Were the two women lying in front of her.

One was Tia, the empress and saintess of Ezer.

And the other was Nael, the leader of the beast-kin.

“Hmm.”

They were lying on a straw mat brought by the Demon King’s army. Since there was no one with any talent for healing, Beatrice had no choice but to use healing magic on them herself.

‘Really…’

She thought doing such foolish things was over, something she only did for Clay.

‘I’m not so sure anymore.’

Beatrice couldn't just let the two who had fought over Clay die. Even though Nael had tried to drag Clay away.

‘Maybe I thought I should give them a choice.’

Clay would decide their fate. She felt that them dying on their own would not be the ending Clay wanted.

It would only leave Clay feeling empty. Whatever conclusion was reached, it had to be Clay’s to make.

Beatrice had decided to assist such a Clay. So, watching over these two like this was, in the end, for his sake.

“Lady Beatrice.”

In the meantime, a demon approached her and spoke.

“Um, I think you need to take a look at something.”

“Oh? What is it?”

“We found something strange inside the palace.”

“Something strange?”

Beatrice tilted her head and stood up from her seat.

“Is it dangerous?”

“I’m not sure about that…”

The demon scratched his head with a troubled expression. Beatrice sighed once more and turned her head.

“Alright. I’ll go take a look, so keep an eye on these two women here.”

“What?”

The demon made a horrified face.

“Aren’t they human heroes? If they wake up and attack…”

“They won’t be interested in a low-ranking demon.”

Though it might be a different story if they attacked each other as soon as they woke up.

Seeing the calm Beatrice, the demon looked bewildered.

“But I have to guide you.”

“I see more of your kind rushing to call me besides you.”

Other demons were running over in a hurry.

“Can you do it now?”

“……”

“Then I’ll be on my way.”

Leaving the fidgeting demon behind, Beatrice headed toward the place where the unknown thing was.

(End of Chapter)