[Volume 1 - The Rebellion for Goetia]
The space known as the Dimensional Gap. The dimensional wall that exists between worlds like the Human World and the Underworld. The boundary that separates one world from another. It is a void world where nothing exists. A place where all fantasies are discarded. The end of dreams that rejects all life, where only the True Red Dragon God Emperor, Great Red, continues to fly.
In such a place, "he" or rather "they" were present.
"Their" appearance could be summed up in one word: grotesque. Massive lumps of flesh etched with multiple layers of rift-like patterns, possessing countless reddish-black eyes. Though there were differences in color and such, their ugliness was a common trait. Seventy-two such abominations were there.
"He" or "they" were once the distortion of the human psyche, its aggregate. The primordial magecraft formula devised to oversee human history. Entities that reigned as Evils of Humanity in different universes, different worlds, different dimensions. The great calamity that once served the King of Magecraft, hijacked his corpse, and sought to exploit human history in the most efficient way. The arrogance of humans pitying and despairing over other humans—the Beast that governs the bestiality of "Pity."
Beast I had revived in another world.
This situation was incomprehensible even to them. They, who had been integrated through the use of the King of Magecraft's first Noble Phantasm, had been separated into individuals and defeated by the resistance of Last Master of Humanity. The Temple of Time had collapsed, and that grand undertaking—the Retrograde Canal, the Light-Year of Genesis—had ended in failure. They had no idea why they, who should have been annihilated, had been reconstructed, or why the Temple of Time, which should have collapsed, still existed. Moreover, this universe was clearly a different dimension from the world they had been in.
Had someone in this world summoned them? Was it the King of Magecraft's spell? The work of the Counter Force from that world? An accidental occurrence? Were beings like them destined to come to this world from the beginning upon annihilation? Or was that defeat, or even this current state, nothing but a butterfly's dream? They could make no judgment at all.
If it were the former collective "he," it might be one thing, but for "they" who had awakened as individuals, they shouldn't normally attempt to unify their opinions like this. Once individual ideas arose, their purposes were no longer the same. Some might try to return to their original world, while others might choose to live in this one. Some might act independently, while others might follow someone's thoughts. Some might give up everything and fall into depravity, while others might attempt to recreate that grand undertaking in this world. Therefore, while conflicts of opinion might occur, there should be no need to deliberately seek unification.
Unless a single purpose was found that all seventy-two pillars shared, they shouldn't even be gathering like this. Those from that world would exclaim it as "impossible." After all, gaining individuality and ceasing to be a collective was their downfall. Thus, this scene was nothing short of a miracle.
Seated on the central throne was something in the form of a young man. Neither demon nor god. Not human, yet worthy of being called one. The existence that once impersonated the King of Magecraft and proclaimed itself the King of Demon Gods now questioned the seventy-two Demon God Pillars that composed it.
"I ask you. Is the reason they fight, the root of their ugliness, 'because they want to live'?"
—They want to live.
That was the reason Last Master of Humanity fought. Not for humanity. Not for history. Not for faith, hatred, or a sense of duty. Simply to live.
Because it did not know that reason, because it could not understand it, the First Beast was defeated.
In a sense, those whom they now judged as "enemies" were fighting for the same reason. To protect themselves, to prosper their own side, to ensure the survival of their race, they were doing what they could.
However, all seventy-two pillars denied it. It wasn't a contrast to the "insignificant boy they had judged unworthy" who had defeated them. Something entirely different drove them.
"Should we execute this plan, or not? I seek your opinions."
To the king seated on the throne, the seventy-two pillars raised their voices in appeal. It was filled with negative emotional energy like rage and hatred, unbecoming of them who were the crystallization of wisdom.
The nine pillars who know sound and weave songs screamed.
"We haven't heard of this—this kind of world, we haven't heard of it! Impeach! Impeach! Impeach! It's not incompetence for failing to clarify this situation! For us nine pillars to harbor such emotions is clearly an abnormal state!"
Melting Furnace—Zepar, Botis, Bathin, Saleos, Purson, Morax, Ipos, Aim, Naberius—approved.
The nine pillars who obtained letters and read phenomena wailed.
"Why? Why? Why! Why do those vermin strive so hard for prolongation! They should know—they have no value worth that! Nothing but painful memories! Such stagnation accompanied by sacrifice is unique in the universe! This planet is mad. You are mad. What value does this history have!"
Information Center—Orias, Vapula, Zagan, Valac, Andras, Flauros, Andrealphus, Kimaris, Amdusias—approved.
The nine pillars who sniff time and pursue phenomena grew excited.
"Rejoice! Rejoice! O, enemies like shooting stars! Indomitable souls that never end no matter how many we kill! So this is what it means to be sought! This is what it means to be rejected! We lacked this emotion! We lacked this immaturity, this foolishness, this cruelty! Oh—to think such heat existed within us! This time, it's not too late—we've made it! No need to wait for the full consensus of the seventy-two pillars. Rotate the bands of light. Commence the plan. We are foreign bodies. We will be expelled from this world. Before that, provide an answer to our infinite refinement. Even if it fails—engrave the conclusion of 'having saved someone' into this universe!"
Observatory—Glasya-Labolas, Bune, Ronove, Berith, Astaroth, Forneus, Foras, Asmodeus, Gaap—approved.
The nine pillars who assist control and maintain the extremities pondered.
"The subjects—their way of life can only be called unsightly. We nine pillars can find no meaning in further survival. —Something is different. Between us and them, something is. We approve of this plan. To clear this doubt."
Control Tower—Barbatos, Paimon, Buer, Gusion, Sitri, Beleth, Leraje, Eligos, Caim—approved.
The nine pillars who grieve war and honor damage spat in contempt.
"Even now, we find them incomprehensible. Those lumps of flesh forgive, elevate, and honor each other, yet fail to reach love and desire solitude. Our understanding is already beyond the far shore. From the abyss of death, we shall decree their destruction. O you who desire eternity and choose sloth. You are unnecessary!"
Armory—Furfur, Marchosias, Stolas, Phenex, Halphas, Malphas, Raum, Focalor, Vepar—approved.
The nine pillars who assemble logic and devour human reason resolved.
"No matter the malice of the opponent, it cannot burn away our intellect...! Let us approve. Let us approve. Without us nine pillars, the plan cannot be achieved...!"
Gazing Star—Baal, Agares, Vassago, Gamigin, Marbas, Valefar, Amon, Alloces, Orobas—approved.
The nine pillars who celebrate birth and praise union raged.
"The anger won't stop. The anger won't stop. We nine pillars no longer choose the honor of reaching the extremity. We will annihilate as many of those lives that know no reason as possible. In the name of the seventy-two Demon Gods, death to those who harm humans. Kill. Kill. Kill. No matter what, kill them!"
Chamber of Life—Sabnock, Shax, Vine, Bifrons, Uvall, Haagenti, Crocell, Furcas, Balam—approved.
The nine pillars who fill voids and cause discord lamented.
"Impermanent, is it? Impermanent, is it? We have nothing. You have nothing. All things are worthless. All of you should be discarded as unnecessary. No one will help you. There's no need even for despair. No one will mourn your deaths. No one will call your names again."
Trash Heap—Murmur, Gremory, Ose, Amy, Belial, Decarabia, Seere, Dantalion, Andromalius—approved.
"Full consensus of the seventy-two pillars confirmed. Commencing the second Retrograde Canal, the Light-Year of Genesis—'Bible Revision.'"
And so, the Demon God Pillars began to move.
"This planet has erred."
There should have been the option to do nothing. They were not existences of this world. Perhaps they should remain non-interfering. Even if acting as individuals, perhaps they should return to their original world to do so.
Even so, after witnessing that tragedy, there was no way they could feel nothing.
"It was madness that tolerated endless malice."
In any era, in any country, the world of humans held many tragedies. But if it was humanity's choice, that was fine. Humans are not omnipotent. They can only live by swallowing suffering and committing contradictions. Through that defeat, we too understood the value of finite lives.
However, if the root of that tragedy was "existences bearing the same names as us," then it was different.
Did they feel nothing after causing that? Did they not think to correct that tragedy? There was no need even to appeal such things. Because the cause of their actions was an unsightly obsession with eternity and the arrogance of believing themselves a superior race.
None of us thought we could forgive those beings.
"Beg for help!"
Give up? Abandon them? Overlook it? Because it's unrelated? Because devils are to be defeated by gods or heroes?
Why should we—compromise so easily!
"Raise your cries of fear!"
We saw a girl forced into solitude, despised as a tool, and in the end, her soul unjustly defiled.
"Drown in the sea of agony!"
We saw a boy discarded as a failure, the reward for inhumane experiments.
"The time has come!"
We saw a sister who resolved to protect her younger sibling and was branded a sinner.
"That is the only salvation for the likes of you!"
We saw a boy whose path in life, though not special or blessed, was stolen without reason.
"This star shall be reborn."
"All despair shall become the past!"
To wipe away someone's tears.
"Praise my name—I am Goetia! The Bible Incineration Ritual, King of Men Goetia!"
The Demon Gods fall once more into Beasthood.
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