There were only two weeks left until the opening ceremony.
It was not enough time to prepare for a large-scale event.
However, none of those who had started preparing for the opening ceremony felt impatient.
Since it was an event that had to focus more on the act of opening the door than the ceremony itself.
“Is the opening ceremony finally coming?”
“The Saintess has received a revelation, right?”
The people of the temple believed so, but Beryl had never received a revelation.
Not in this life, not in the previous two lives.
However, the priests with firm faith moved around, saying that they had to finish preparing before the demons noticed.
We can go to heaven soon!
God will recognize our sincerity!
And the priests who were intoxicated by that fact began to show their true colors.
If the gates of heaven were to open and God descended, the order of this world would be reorganized anyway.
Even if he were the Emperor, how could he dare to assert his authority if an omnipotent god descended?
“The world of the Holy Empire will come, just like in ancient times.”
The priests expected it.
And in that place, the one chosen by the gods would soon have power.
Then?
“Haven’t you been on a mission to eliminate demons lately?”
“Yes?”
It was natural that conflict would arise within the temple, which was already secretly divided into factions based on vested interests.
The priests who had been demanding that they escape from the secular world became more worldly than anyone else right before the gates of heaven opened.
“I think it would be good to go away for a month or so.”
“Then I won’t be able to be there when the gates of heaven open...”
“Then you’re going to open the gates of heaven and ignore the suffering of the common people?”
“That’s...!”
In that way, he sent away the knights and priests who didn’t agree with him to a place far from the temple where the central altar was.
He hoped that when the gods came out through the gates of heaven, the first thing they would see would be him.
“Wouldn’t it be better to stand like this?”
“You’re talking as if you were the representative of the temple?”
“First, the seven high-ranking priests stand in front...”
Externally, the Saintess held the highest position in the temple. The structure was such that the seven high-ranking priests shared power behind her.
However, the Saintess was not in the minds of the seven high-ranking priests.
To be exact.
“The Saintess, ahem. Isn’t she too worldly to be the first to welcome the god?”
“You’re right. Did you see the clothes she wore at the banquet? How much would the god see her ..”
“I think when the door opens, the Saintess, no, the Duchess, will be pushed back...”
In short, if the gods were to walk out of the gates of heaven, they would adjust their positions so that they could see them before the Saintess.
They were not even ashamed of the words coming out of their mouths, as they gradually revealed their dark intentions.
“...As expected.”
As the number of people increases and they begin to look out for their own interests and restrict information from each other, the gaps in their paths naturally increase.
The demons were experts at taking advantage of that gap. That’s why their behavior was transmitted to me in its entirety.
From my perspective, it was my third life, but their appearance was always the same.
I slowly closed my eyes and opened them. I could clearly see what I would have seen if I hadn’t held hands with Vine and had continued to be with them.
“...And first, the temple is in charge of the clothes to wear during the ceremony.”
Ronove, who had been reporting, continued carefully.
“They said they’re preparing sacred cloth.”
I let out a short sigh at those words.
“I think I know what clothes to bring.”
My expression was clouded. Belled called me.
“Beryl.”
When I turned around, Belled was smiling brightly.
“Don’t worry about the clothes. I prepared them separately.”
I blinked at those words.
“My clothes?”
I blinked with a strange sense of deja vu.
“...Ah.”
I let out a short exclamation.
It was a similar situation to the wedding.
The clothes that seemed to force the divinity sent from the temple and the clothes he prepared.
But what made my heart beat even more than before was that, unlike then, I knew for sure that his heart was with me.
When I thought about this person, who had told me to prepare my clothes first, a smile came to my face.
“Isn’t this a bigger battlefield than a wedding?”
It would be difficult if I didn’t prepare my clothes. Belled smiled faintly as he said that.
“Then I’ll prepare the shoes.”
At that time, it was Pocalor who continued speaking.
She had been outside as a clone and had rarely returned to the Magic Drink since the Orobas banquet.
“I think the gates of hell will open soon, so I should be able to enter.”
She seemed excited as she said that.
“My main body’s sleep has almost completely awakened. I’ll definitely be able to wake up before the opening ceremony.”
Pocalor continued speaking to me, who was recalling what she had said.
“When the gates of hell open, many things will change. Shoes will be important in walking to a new place.”
Pocalor’s eyes sparkled as she said that. Although she didn’t show it, it must mean that she was looking forward to what was to come.
The opening ceremony where the Saintess could not help but be in the spotlight.
Everyone was hoping that she would shine in the place where she had to personally officiate.
I felt ny heart, which had been burdened and tightening, soften a little.
“How about the preparation of the troops?”
Ronove gave a short nod to my question.
“We are gathering at the mansion. There should be no problem in gathering before the opening ceremony.”
I nodded briefly at those words.
Vine’s troops, including the workers who collected the negative energy of humans, were spread out far and wide.
I ordered them to be brought to the mansion. To be exact, I ordered them to wait in front of the gate of hell in the basement of the mansion.
So far, the plan has been going smoothly.
During the opening ceremony, if a demon was offered to the central altar, the gate of heaven would open, and if someone with divine power was offered, the gate of hell would open.
And already, Yubar and the Duke of Orobas had been placed on the altar.
Although they had been mistaken for demons, they were actually the heads of two families with divine power flowing through their veins.
The problem was after they were offered.
It was good that the gates of hell were opening, but the moment the temple people realized that the gates of heaven were not open, an all-out war would break out.
“Right after the gates open, it will be difficult to suppress the strong magical power.”
Said Belled.
“To avoid attacking our allies during that time, we will need time to adjust to the power. On the other hand, the temple will try to suppress us with numbers.”
Furthermore, the central altar was located in the central temple where a god had descended long ago.
“It will not be easy to use force since it is inside the temple where sacred power is strong.”
“We will deploy personnel in a way that minimizes casualties.”
My fists clenched in tension.
Belled hugged me.
“I know you must be very anxious.”
The threat of someone around me possibly dying was a huge threat to me.
Each and every one of them was precious to me.
However, Belled knew very well how to reassure me.
“The devil does not want to lose in a bet.”
Of course, some made mistakes.
His gaze glanced at Naberus. It was clearly because of the magic wine.
“...!”
Naberus’ face turned pale after hearing that voice.
However, Belled looked at me and said, seemingly not caring whether Naberus's face turned pale or not.
“But at least I have never made a mistake.”
Otherwise, he would not have been able to unite the demon world as the Demon Duke.
He laughed softly.
“So trust me.”
I let out a short breath at those confident words. My pounding heart felt a little calmer.
“...”
I leaned into his wide embrace. My hand, so frail compared to his, touched his chest.
Belled held my hand tightly and kissed the tip.
“And look at them.”
Belled pointed out the other demons to me.
Demons who were more excited than ever.
“This battle is not a burden to them. It’s just a thrilling event.”
Even if they die, no one will blame you. Belled smiled.
“...Thank you.”
I closed my eyes in his embrace.
Just as the strategic discussion was coming to an end, news arrived from Yubar.
“They say the interrogation of Duke Yubar will begin soon.”
It meant that he would be desperately clinging to the summoning circle.
Naberus stood up.
It was time to completely trap Yubar.
It was not enough time to prepare for a large-scale event.
However, none of those who had started preparing for the opening ceremony felt impatient.
Since it was an event that had to focus more on the act of opening the door than the ceremony itself.
“Is the opening ceremony finally coming?”
“The Saintess has received a revelation, right?”
The people of the temple believed so, but Beryl had never received a revelation.
Not in this life, not in the previous two lives.
However, the priests with firm faith moved around, saying that they had to finish preparing before the demons noticed.
We can go to heaven soon!
God will recognize our sincerity!
And the priests who were intoxicated by that fact began to show their true colors.
If the gates of heaven were to open and God descended, the order of this world would be reorganized anyway.
Even if he were the Emperor, how could he dare to assert his authority if an omnipotent god descended?
“The world of the Holy Empire will come, just like in ancient times.”
The priests expected it.
And in that place, the one chosen by the gods would soon have power.
Then?
“Haven’t you been on a mission to eliminate demons lately?”
“Yes?”
It was natural that conflict would arise within the temple, which was already secretly divided into factions based on vested interests.
The priests who had been demanding that they escape from the secular world became more worldly than anyone else right before the gates of heaven opened.
“I think it would be good to go away for a month or so.”
“Then I won’t be able to be there when the gates of heaven open...”
“Then you’re going to open the gates of heaven and ignore the suffering of the common people?”
“That’s...!”
In that way, he sent away the knights and priests who didn’t agree with him to a place far from the temple where the central altar was.
He hoped that when the gods came out through the gates of heaven, the first thing they would see would be him.
“Wouldn’t it be better to stand like this?”
“You’re talking as if you were the representative of the temple?”
“First, the seven high-ranking priests stand in front...”
Externally, the Saintess held the highest position in the temple. The structure was such that the seven high-ranking priests shared power behind her.
However, the Saintess was not in the minds of the seven high-ranking priests.
To be exact.
“The Saintess, ahem. Isn’t she too worldly to be the first to welcome the god?”
“You’re right. Did you see the clothes she wore at the banquet? How much would the god see her ..”
“I think when the door opens, the Saintess, no, the Duchess, will be pushed back...”
In short, if the gods were to walk out of the gates of heaven, they would adjust their positions so that they could see them before the Saintess.
They were not even ashamed of the words coming out of their mouths, as they gradually revealed their dark intentions.
***
“...As expected.”
As the number of people increases and they begin to look out for their own interests and restrict information from each other, the gaps in their paths naturally increase.
The demons were experts at taking advantage of that gap. That’s why their behavior was transmitted to me in its entirety.
From my perspective, it was my third life, but their appearance was always the same.
I slowly closed my eyes and opened them. I could clearly see what I would have seen if I hadn’t held hands with Vine and had continued to be with them.
“...And first, the temple is in charge of the clothes to wear during the ceremony.”
Ronove, who had been reporting, continued carefully.
“They said they’re preparing sacred cloth.”
I let out a short sigh at those words.
“I think I know what clothes to bring.”
My expression was clouded. Belled called me.
“Beryl.”
When I turned around, Belled was smiling brightly.
“Don’t worry about the clothes. I prepared them separately.”
I blinked at those words.
“My clothes?”
I blinked with a strange sense of deja vu.
“...Ah.”
I let out a short exclamation.
It was a similar situation to the wedding.
The clothes that seemed to force the divinity sent from the temple and the clothes he prepared.
But what made my heart beat even more than before was that, unlike then, I knew for sure that his heart was with me.
When I thought about this person, who had told me to prepare my clothes first, a smile came to my face.
“Isn’t this a bigger battlefield than a wedding?”
It would be difficult if I didn’t prepare my clothes. Belled smiled faintly as he said that.
“Then I’ll prepare the shoes.”
At that time, it was Pocalor who continued speaking.
She had been outside as a clone and had rarely returned to the Magic Drink since the Orobas banquet.
“I think the gates of hell will open soon, so I should be able to enter.”
She seemed excited as she said that.
“My main body’s sleep has almost completely awakened. I’ll definitely be able to wake up before the opening ceremony.”
Pocalor continued speaking to me, who was recalling what she had said.
“When the gates of hell open, many things will change. Shoes will be important in walking to a new place.”
Pocalor’s eyes sparkled as she said that. Although she didn’t show it, it must mean that she was looking forward to what was to come.
The opening ceremony where the Saintess could not help but be in the spotlight.
Everyone was hoping that she would shine in the place where she had to personally officiate.
I felt ny heart, which had been burdened and tightening, soften a little.
“How about the preparation of the troops?”
Ronove gave a short nod to my question.
“We are gathering at the mansion. There should be no problem in gathering before the opening ceremony.”
I nodded briefly at those words.
Vine’s troops, including the workers who collected the negative energy of humans, were spread out far and wide.
I ordered them to be brought to the mansion. To be exact, I ordered them to wait in front of the gate of hell in the basement of the mansion.
So far, the plan has been going smoothly.
During the opening ceremony, if a demon was offered to the central altar, the gate of heaven would open, and if someone with divine power was offered, the gate of hell would open.
And already, Yubar and the Duke of Orobas had been placed on the altar.
Although they had been mistaken for demons, they were actually the heads of two families with divine power flowing through their veins.
The problem was after they were offered.
It was good that the gates of hell were opening, but the moment the temple people realized that the gates of heaven were not open, an all-out war would break out.
“Right after the gates open, it will be difficult to suppress the strong magical power.”
Said Belled.
“To avoid attacking our allies during that time, we will need time to adjust to the power. On the other hand, the temple will try to suppress us with numbers.”
Furthermore, the central altar was located in the central temple where a god had descended long ago.
“It will not be easy to use force since it is inside the temple where sacred power is strong.”
In short, before the gates open, the demons are overwhelmingly undermanned, and even after the gates open, it will take time to properly use the magical power.
In that case, isn’t there only one way?
Bring the troops in Vine and the demons in hell to the gates of the central altar.
“If the gates open, we can send troops directly through hell, right?”
“Yes.”
We just have to fool the temple people until the gates open.
If something goes wrong and they find out that we are demons.
There would be a fierce battle due to the overwhelming numbers.
Not only that, if time was delayed, the opening ceremony would fail, and there was no telling when another total solar eclipse would come.
In the meantime, the gates of hell would close, and then only a miserable end would await the demons.
A map was placed in front of me, who was nervous again, and Belled, who was embracing me.
“This is the general structure of the altar.”
The map was not detailed yet. The central altar, where a god was said to have descended at one time, was considered a holy place, and no one had entered for a long time.
They said that they would only see it properly in the temple once the date for the opening ceremony was set.
“As you can see, the area where the central altar is located is larger than you think. It is large enough to accommodate at least several hundred people. The problem is.”
Ronove narrowed his eyes.
“The number of holy knights gathered from all over the empire is greater than you think.”
They were outnumbered.
Especially those outside the gates of hell would be insufficient.
That would be understandable.
“The knights and priests will want to be noticed by the god when the gates of heaven open, so this room will almost be full.”
Ronove nodded at my words.
“Yes, that’s right.”
In that case, isn’t there only one way?
Bring the troops in Vine and the demons in hell to the gates of the central altar.
“If the gates open, we can send troops directly through hell, right?”
“Yes.”
We just have to fool the temple people until the gates open.
If something goes wrong and they find out that we are demons.
There would be a fierce battle due to the overwhelming numbers.
Not only that, if time was delayed, the opening ceremony would fail, and there was no telling when another total solar eclipse would come.
In the meantime, the gates of hell would close, and then only a miserable end would await the demons.
A map was placed in front of me, who was nervous again, and Belled, who was embracing me.
“This is the general structure of the altar.”
The map was not detailed yet. The central altar, where a god was said to have descended at one time, was considered a holy place, and no one had entered for a long time.
They said that they would only see it properly in the temple once the date for the opening ceremony was set.
“As you can see, the area where the central altar is located is larger than you think. It is large enough to accommodate at least several hundred people. The problem is.”
Ronove narrowed his eyes.
“The number of holy knights gathered from all over the empire is greater than you think.”
They were outnumbered.
Especially those outside the gates of hell would be insufficient.
That would be understandable.
“The knights and priests will want to be noticed by the god when the gates of heaven open, so this room will almost be full.”
Ronove nodded at my words.
“Yes, that’s right.”
Whether they saw the god or not was none of Vine’s business.
The important thing was to kill all of them when the battle broke out.
“Before the gates open, we must never let anyone know who we are, and even if we do, we must be able to escape...”
Belled nodded at .y words.
The important thing was to kill all of them when the battle broke out.
“Before the gates open, we must never let anyone know who we are, and even if we do, we must be able to escape...”
Belled nodded at .y words.
“We will deploy personnel in a way that minimizes casualties.”
My fists clenched in tension.
Belled hugged me.
“I know you must be very anxious.”
The threat of someone around me possibly dying was a huge threat to me.
Each and every one of them was precious to me.
However, Belled knew very well how to reassure me.
“The devil does not want to lose in a bet.”
Of course, some made mistakes.
His gaze glanced at Naberus. It was clearly because of the magic wine.
“...!”
Naberus’ face turned pale after hearing that voice.
However, Belled looked at me and said, seemingly not caring whether Naberus's face turned pale or not.
“But at least I have never made a mistake.”
Otherwise, he would not have been able to unite the demon world as the Demon Duke.
He laughed softly.
“So trust me.”
I let out a short breath at those confident words. My pounding heart felt a little calmer.
“...”
I leaned into his wide embrace. My hand, so frail compared to his, touched his chest.
Belled held my hand tightly and kissed the tip.
“And look at them.”
Belled pointed out the other demons to me.
Demons who were more excited than ever.
“This battle is not a burden to them. It’s just a thrilling event.”
Even if they die, no one will blame you. Belled smiled.
“...Thank you.”
I closed my eyes in his embrace.
Just as the strategic discussion was coming to an end, news arrived from Yubar.
“They say the interrogation of Duke Yubar will begin soon.”
It meant that he would be desperately clinging to the summoning circle.
Naberus stood up.
It was time to completely trap Yubar.
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