The Failed Swordmaster - Chapter 187

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 187 71. The Final Opponent (3)

“How is it? The scenery of this place?”

“What do you mean?”

Lumian answered the wounded giant’s question with respectful speech.

In truth, he didn’t want to. Though this was his first time meeting him, he had suffered under this being’s influence throughout his entire life. While Sekaros had planned the curse of impotence, wasn’t it Demon Lord Javarik who had brought that piece of trash into the world?

‘No, thinking about it, even my previous life… The endless invasions of the Demon King’s army were all by this bastard’s will, so even Ryan Fromhart’s death could be considered this bastard’s fault.’

But despite being such a hateful existence, despite being the greatest obstacle in his life, Lumian couldn’t dare take an insolent attitude.

The dignity accumulated over immeasurably long years. The tremendous power befitting that dignity, and the overwhelming presence. These things pressed against him from all sides. It felt as if transparent hands were gripping him.

However, Demon Lord Javarik seemed unaware of this.

He asked again.

“I’m asking about the impression you’re feeling right now. The sensation when you first set foot in this Demon Realm. The emotion when you discovered me, sick and wretched. And the feeling when you faced this… unpleasant pile of garbage.”

“…”

“How is it? Speak honestly. I won’t say anything about it.”

Various emotions could be felt in Demon Lord Javarik’s voice.

Anger, regret, remorse, self-mockery. All sorts of negative emotions seemed to be gnawing at him.

Probably his request to speak honestly wasn’t actually what he meant. It felt like his true intention wasn’t to speak as things really were, but to criticize him with all his might.

Of course, there was no need to lie for his sake.

Lumian spoke his true feelings as they were.

“It’s disgusting.”

“Haha, right. Your words are truly correct. Disgusting, that’s what I am now. This place now… and the creations I’ve made as well.”

“Most of the demons are not disgusting beings.”

“You know I’m not referring to them, don’t you? What I’m pointing to are these things. The dolls scattered all around me.”

The Demon God raised his remaining arm and pointed to various spots on the ground. Lumian forcibly managed his expression and nodded in agreement.

It was as Javarik said. The numerous dolls that appeared to be his creations, or rather the remains of incomplete dolls, had hideous forms. They scattered dirty, foul-smelling energy that couldn’t even be called demonic energy, mixing with the surrounding ground to create unpleasant bubbles.

“Sekaros was bad, but these are even worse. Though that bastard couldn’t be my son, he could at least serve as a tool, but what’s coming out now are beings too pathetic to even call failures. Despite using my left foot as material…”

“Did you call me here just to lament?”

Lumian Calard interrupted Javarik’s words.

He had been curious the entire way here. What exactly was the Demon God’s reason for calling him? Why had he sent such desperate signals? Perhaps he wanted to personally eliminate the one who had ruined all his plans?

If that was the case, it would actually be better. He too had been thinking of seeking out this bastard someday because of the lingering unease in a corner of his heart.

‘Personal revenge aside, I couldn’t stand to see the demons suffering any longer.’

It could be called meddling. But Lumian had constantly worried about beings like Sekus, Baku, and the common people of the Demon Realm since returning to the human realm.

Originally, they were just residents of another world.

Ordinary people who had no interest in corruption or invasion, who simply wanted to live their lives peacefully.

The fact that such people were crawling into the human realm spreading ugly hatred and malice was entirely due to the fallen Demon God’s coercion.

‘I can be certain. The current Demon God is not fulfilling his role as a god. Rather, he’s ruining the world he created and making it suffer.’

Then the answer was simple.

If he just dealt with the being causing it all, then the demons would no longer be demons. The Demon Realm would no longer be called the Demon Realm.

Removing the cursed modifier of “demon,” it would transform into a more livable world like the human realm.

That’s why he had come here. That’s why he stood here fully prepared for battle.

‘Why is this bastard only engaging in self-deprecation?’

He felt puzzled. And slightly annoyed too.

Was he trying to engage in self-reflection now of all times?

Lumian’s thoughts weren’t wrong. Javarik slowly nodded and opened his mouth.

“Yes. Your words are correct. I wanted to confess my foolish mistakes to someone. If possible, to my old friend, Allia.”

“…”

“Of course, it’s complete nonsense. There’s no way she, who’s responsible for an entire world, could leave her post, and even if she could, there’s no way she’d listen to my request…”

“So you called me as a substitute? To convey words of apology?”

“…That’s right.”

Javarik answered with difficulty and let out a sigh.

Lowering his head for a moment, he continued speaking without meeting Lumian’s eyes, looking ashamed.

“I know this too is shameless behavior. Not only did I target your life through various Demon Kings, I even touched the most important part for a man… Ten mouths wouldn’t be enough. I’ll say it here and now. I’m sorry. But the curse of impotence wasn’t my will.”

“…”

“But even so, you were the only one I could ask this favor of. The demons of the 108 Families who followed me have long since disbanded, and the other children turned their backs on me long ago. Yes, I’ve become someone shunned even by my own creations.”

“Considering your actions, it’s only natural.”

“I won’t deny it. Yes, I can’t deny it… Anyway, for that reason, I couldn’t convey my message through my children. Does this explain why I called you here?”

Lumian nodded.

If all the demons had turned away from him, this would have been the only method available. Since he was the only being with the dignity to reach the heavens, he was also the only one who could deliver the message.

The Demon God continued speaking.

“Actually, I didn’t think you would come all the way here. There’s no need to explain. I am your enemy, your lover’s enemy, and the very person who tried to destroy your world.”

“Hmm.”

“Nevertheless, I offer deep gratitude for having the courage to come here. And… this too.”

Thud!

Demon Lord Javarik threw an orb.

As Lumian caught it, he provided an explanation.

“It’s my will to send to Allia.”

Indeed, when he focused his mind on the orb, he could faintly sense the Demon God’s thoughts. Perhaps due to insufficient dignity, he couldn’t feel it properly. Of course, it didn’t matter much.

It was a matter between the two of them anyway. He just needed to deliver the orb Javarik had given him to Allia. There was no need to get involved between them.

“Well then, I ask this of you. I’m sorry and grateful.”

Having finished all his business, the Demon God bid farewell to Lumian. Then he looked down with a lonely expression.

He seemed to be observing his world. Lumian didn’t leave the Demon Realm and watched his eyes.

One minute.

Ten minutes.

An hour. And much longer than that.

Seeing Lumian not descending to the lower realm despite all this time, Javarik made a puzzled expression, when he suddenly drew his sword from its sheath.

Shing—

Whoooosh!

Hot aura covered the magic sword Allia had bestowed upon him. Watching Lumian Calard’s sword emit intense light like refined flames, the Demon God opened his mouth with a “surely not” expression.

“Are you perhaps thinking of defeating me?”

“That’s right.”

“Why?”

“You know why too.”

Bzzzzzzt!

Lumian drew up his aura even more powerfully. The sword that had grown large enough to pierce even the sky above the sky shrank to match Javarik’s height.

Right after that, he spoke.

“Your eyes are still full of anger and resentment, so would it be right for me to trust you and return to the human realm?”

“…You don’t trust me.”

“That’s right. Is that strange?”

“No. It’s not. Rather, I understand. Even I wouldn’t be able to forgive and trust my enemy all at once. Sigh.”

Whoooooosh—!

The Demon God sighed after finishing his words.

But that sigh was completely different from before. It was much hotter. Terrible heat as if all of hell had been condensed burned the ground of the Demon Realm.

Watching this, Lumian stepped back ten paces and frowned, while an even hotter voice flowed from Javarik’s mouth.

“Leave.”

“Urgh!”

“Because of the wrongs I’ve committed, I’ll let it slide this once. But there won’t be a second time.”

“…Acting all high and mighty. Talking as if you could easily win if you put your mind to it?”

“It’s not acting high and mighty. Nor am I looking down on you. You have enough potential to reach the level of me or Allia, but you’re still far from sufficient.”

The Demon God stretched his left hand toward the sky.

Then black lightning began to form at the tip of his index finger, and with a terrible roar, it devastated everything around.

Rumble, crash!

Crackle-!

“Graaah!”

It wasn’t simple thunder and lightning.

Everything swept up in the Demon God’s energy literally vanished. As if it had never existed from the beginning, as if it had never once shown itself to the world. It disappeared without leaving even the slightest trace.

Even someone as remarkable as Lumian couldn’t help but be appalled by such a sight. His complexion turned deathly pale, and the Demon God opened his mouth once again.

“Though my current state has been weakened to the extreme due to injuries and overexertion, I am by no means so pathetic as to indulge your childish antics.”

“…”

“Know your place. Understand the difference in our power, the difference in our standing! If you understand, then quietly go down to the Lower Realm like a dead mouse and deliver my will to Allia!”

“Haha, hahahaha!”

Lumian’s laughter rang out loudly. Hearing this, Javarik’s face contorted with rage.

Not even Allia herself, but a mere creation of hers dared to mock him?

But Lumian couldn’t help but laugh.

He continued bursting into laughter as he spoke.

“Haha, hahaha… You really aren’t in your right mind. Getting so angry over something this trivial, and trying to destroy the Lower Realm where so many of your creations exist?”

“What do you… Ah!”

The startled Demon God looked down below. In his eyes, he saw a spark—a byproduct of the black lightning—falling down toward the Demon Realm.

This was terrible. The flame filled with divine wrath possessed tremendous power. Perhaps this incident could cause more than one-tenth of the Demon Realm to vanish. He squeezed his eyes shut, anticipating the catastrophe his reckless action would cause.

But something beyond his imagination occurred.

A red meteor that came from somewhere completely swept away the spark he had created.

“No, this is!”

The shocked Javarik concentrated all his nerves. And he began analyzing the source of the power.

After a moment, he looked back at Lumian with an expression of disbelief.

“You? How?”

Hearing the Demon God’s voice, Lumian Calard grinned wickedly.

He felt good. He had confidence too.

Though he had wasted one of his three chances, he thought the remaining two would be more than enough.

He spoke toward Javarik.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————