“That is...”
“Heaven...?”
The first thing that was visible through the crack in the door was pitch-black darkness.
It wasn’t just darkness. Even the light that remained on the altar couldn’t brighten up that darkness at all. The torches that people were holding were the same.
It didn’t react to the light at all as if it were a different space, not just a shadow but a black fog.
It was a strange sight.
“Ahem.”
The priests began to look at each other as they cleared their throats.
Although they had never seen the altar door open, it seemed strange to them as well.
Isn’t it too dark for a sacred path to heaven that leads to God?
At least there should be a ray of light, even if there were no trumpet-blowing angels or sparkling jewel paths...?
“The sacrifice... was properly offered.”
The people’s eyes glanced at the altar and then back inside the door.
The completely open door was still darkness itself.
Even though they didn’t expect the god to walk out and welcome them, there was nothing but a black space.
“This is ominous...”
Someone said, and a person was hit.
“What blasphemous words! Go back!”
“Back, back! Wasn’t this already discussed!?”
In the meantime, they were still fighting over seats.
“The god..."
The other priests cautiously looked into the black space.
Was the god angry? There was nothing more to be angry about? Or was the god... asleep?
They had such absurd thoughts that they didn’t dare approach the door.
If that was really the god’s space, the door to heaven, then it wouldn’t have been wise to walk into the god’s space, which looked uncomfortable no matter how you looked at it.
So they had only one thought. Their eyes were all focused on the Saintess, Beryl.
After all, wasn’t the representative of the temple the Saintess?
“The door is open.”
Ahem, the high priestess Alinica cleared her throat and spoke to Beryl quietly.
As if she had planned it from the beginning.
“Shouldn’t the Saintess take the lead in the most sacred place?”
Beryl’s gaze turned to Alinica.
She thought that this moment was the most difficult in the opening ceremony.
Unlike them, she was able to endure it because she was leaving behind the darkness that gave her a sense of relief.
She was able to endure it because Belled nodded slightly to her.
No matter how selfish and disgusting the priests were to the end.
“God will guide you.”
“Come on.”
The priests urged her on.
Thump.
Beryl placed the book with the prayer written on it on the stage and walked away.
“Shouldn’t we?”
Of course, I should go ahead?
This place isn’t heaven.
As she swallowed her words and took a step forward, belated agreement and made-up exclamations erupted from the priests.
“As expected of the Saintess!”
“You will reach Him first!”
They started to fight for position again, so they were really consistent.
“Then, I’ll go.”
Beryl took a deep breath. As if she was nervous.
And she made eye contact with Belled.
“...”
Just like before, she felt relieved at his slightly nodding appearance.
Saaaa...
She stepped into the darkness that seemed to envelop and suck her in.
At that moment, the light completely disappeared from around her.
“Ah...!”
With a heavy sound as if a huge wave had hit, the door opened on its own.
“... !”
The first thing that could be seen through the gap in the door was the night sky full of stars.
Below that, people were flying.
What she thought were birds were approaching at such a fast speed that she could barely tell they were people.
And most of them were familiar faces.
“Ah...”
“Heaven...?”
The first thing that was visible through the crack in the door was pitch-black darkness.
It wasn’t just darkness. Even the light that remained on the altar couldn’t brighten up that darkness at all. The torches that people were holding were the same.
It didn’t react to the light at all as if it were a different space, not just a shadow but a black fog.
It was a strange sight.
“Ahem.”
The priests began to look at each other as they cleared their throats.
Although they had never seen the altar door open, it seemed strange to them as well.
Isn’t it too dark for a sacred path to heaven that leads to God?
At least there should be a ray of light, even if there were no trumpet-blowing angels or sparkling jewel paths...?
“The sacrifice... was properly offered.”
The people’s eyes glanced at the altar and then back inside the door.
The completely open door was still darkness itself.
Even though they didn’t expect the god to walk out and welcome them, there was nothing but a black space.
“This is ominous...”
Someone said, and a person was hit.
“What blasphemous words! Go back!”
“Back, back! Wasn’t this already discussed!?”
In the meantime, they were still fighting over seats.
“The god..."
The other priests cautiously looked into the black space.
Was the god angry? There was nothing more to be angry about? Or was the god... asleep?
They had such absurd thoughts that they didn’t dare approach the door.
If that was really the god’s space, the door to heaven, then it wouldn’t have been wise to walk into the god’s space, which looked uncomfortable no matter how you looked at it.
So they had only one thought. Their eyes were all focused on the Saintess, Beryl.
After all, wasn’t the representative of the temple the Saintess?
“The door is open.”
Ahem, the high priestess Alinica cleared her throat and spoke to Beryl quietly.
As if she had planned it from the beginning.
“Shouldn’t the Saintess take the lead in the most sacred place?”
Beryl’s gaze turned to Alinica.
She thought that this moment was the most difficult in the opening ceremony.
Unlike them, she was able to endure it because she was leaving behind the darkness that gave her a sense of relief.
She was able to endure it because Belled nodded slightly to her.
No matter how selfish and disgusting the priests were to the end.
“God will guide you.”
“Come on.”
The priests urged her on.
Thump.
Beryl placed the book with the prayer written on it on the stage and walked away.
“Shouldn’t we?”
Of course, I should go ahead?
This place isn’t heaven.
As she swallowed her words and took a step forward, belated agreement and made-up exclamations erupted from the priests.
“As expected of the Saintess!”
“You will reach Him first!”
They started to fight for position again, so they were really consistent.
“Then, I’ll go.”
Beryl took a deep breath. As if she was nervous.
And she made eye contact with Belled.
“...”
Just like before, she felt relieved at his slightly nodding appearance.
Saaaa...
She stepped into the darkness that seemed to envelop and suck her in.
At that moment, the light completely disappeared from around her.
“Ah...!”
She looked back in surprise, and even though it was only a step away, the sounds outside were erased as if it were a completely different space.
Was this the gates of hell?
It was definitely a cool place, but there was no light at all.
A warm wind enveloped her.
There was nothing to step on, but strangely, she didn’t feel anxious.
So she took a step forward.
Thump.
Maybe it was because of the nervousness, but the sound of her footsteps was frantic as she walked somewhat briskly.
While she was thinking about it again, something that wasn't there suddenly appeared before her eyes.
"Ah."
She stopped walking with a short exclamation. What appeared in front of her was a huge, gold-decorated door.
And she felt a familiar feeling from it.
The energy that always surrounded Belled. It was magic.
“...”
Beryl, with a faint smile, touched the door.
Kugu-kung...
Was this the gates of hell?
It was definitely a cool place, but there was no light at all.
A warm wind enveloped her.
There was nothing to step on, but strangely, she didn’t feel anxious.
So she took a step forward.
Thump.
Maybe it was because of the nervousness, but the sound of her footsteps was frantic as she walked somewhat briskly.
While she was thinking about it again, something that wasn't there suddenly appeared before her eyes.
"Ah."
She stopped walking with a short exclamation. What appeared in front of her was a huge, gold-decorated door.
And she felt a familiar feeling from it.
The energy that always surrounded Belled. It was magic.
“...”
Beryl, with a faint smile, touched the door.
Kugu-kung...
With a heavy sound as if a huge wave had hit, the door opened on its own.
“... !”
The first thing that could be seen through the gap in the door was the night sky full of stars.
Below that, people were flying.
What she thought were birds were approaching at such a fast speed that she could barely tell they were people.
And most of them were familiar faces.
“Ah...”
They were the demons she had seen at the Vine Mansion.
If the Hell Gate of the central altar opened, the Hell Gate of the Vine Mansion would open as well, so the remaining troops at the Vine Mansion were to gather inside the Hell Gate.
That was the plan. It was going according to plan.
And right in front of the door, a familiar figure appeared.
“You’re here.”
Her pure white hair swayed in the light wind. Her smiling face seemed much more present and distinct than usual.
It was a story that she was no longer a clone.
“...Pocalor.”
“Yes, it’s me.”
She smiled, brushing her hair back.
“This must be the first time you’ve seen me in real life, is it awkward?”
Pocalor asked, approaching the door and personally escorting her. Beryl shook her head.
“Not at all.”
She looked the same as usual. She didn’t feel unfamiliar at all. What was unfamiliar was the ashen landscape of hell and the demons inside the gates of hell that filled it...
That’s when she thought that.
A demon she had never seen before approached her and knelt down.
“I, who am so lacking, come to see you, Your Highness.”
There was deep loyalty and favor in his voice. It was completely different from the voices of the priests who had seemed to rot their ears just before she entered.
“...What is your name?”
“Kaladi.”
The demon who spoke like that couldn’t even raise his head as if it was an honor to be asked his name.
The demons standing in line behind him were the same.
They were all welcoming her even though they had never seen her before.
“Devils in Hell...”
Beryl realized. They were the ones who had endured a long time in Hell, waiting for the Gates of Hell to open.
“There were dozens, hundreds of them who were dying from lack of magic power.”
Kaladi said. His voice was filled with emotion.
“It was Vision who gave life to those people again.”
They were truly grateful.
“As soon as the Gates of Hell opened, they came in with the magic drink. Since it was something that radiated so much magic power even outside the Gates of Hell, inside Hell..."
Pocalor pointed at Kaladi.
“Kaladi had lost his right arm and right leg until yesterday.”
Her eyes widened at those words. Kaladi’s limbs looked fine to her.
“It has already been restored with sufficient magic power.”
Kaladi bowed deeply. Pocalor laughed.
“You did it.”
You made it with the magic drink you asked me to bring. And you... as a Saintess, performed the initiation ceremony and opened the gates of hell.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
The demons spoke in unison. Beryl opened her mouth slightly. She felt a new sense of relief, knowing that there were demons in hell, but not feeling it.
These were her people.
“Ah...”
She let out a short sigh. She clearly remembered what Belled had said one night.
Belled.
He said he was afraid that she would lose many things if she became a demon.
But that was not the case. Beryl slowly shook her head.
Perhaps the favor that humans had given her might never be with her.
However, there were so many demons who wanted her that there was no need to be sad about that.
“Let’s go. We don’t have much time.”
Pocalor gestured. Those holding clothes were standing where she had gestured. They were not the white clothes prepared by the priests who made people sick. They were the pitch-black clothes that Belled had prepared, and the pitch-black shoes that Pocalor had gifted her.
“The spring of desire has already been prepared. All you have to do is drink it.”
Pocalor, who had been speaking lightly for a moment, added,
“If you drink it, your body will feel light for a while. After a while, you will suddenly feel sick.”
Everything must end in the meantime.
Pocalor said with determination.
“It’ll take 12 hours at most. We have to finish the battle with the temple within that time.”
If they don’t, only the losers will be left outside the door.
She said,
“A victory without you is not a victory.”
Pocalor’s gaze turned sharply to Beryl. The gazes of the other demons standing behind her were also directed straight at her.
Belled and the other demons outside must have thought the same.
“You must survive, Beryl.”
Pocalor said. Beryl suddenly realized those words.
The only person who had been so earnestly telling her to survive was herself.
It was so overwhelming to hear from someone else what she had always told herself as if she was making a promise...
“...Ah.”
Beryl closed her eyes. There was no time, it was difficult when she couldn’t see in front of her, it wasn’t sad, but if she cried, she would worry. She couldn’t hold back her tears.
You must survive, Beryl.
It was so overwhelming to hear those earnest words from someone else.
“Yes, I will.”
Of course. No matter what pain and danger it may entail.
She nodded repeatedly.
If the Hell Gate of the central altar opened, the Hell Gate of the Vine Mansion would open as well, so the remaining troops at the Vine Mansion were to gather inside the Hell Gate.
That was the plan. It was going according to plan.
And right in front of the door, a familiar figure appeared.
“You’re here.”
Her pure white hair swayed in the light wind. Her smiling face seemed much more present and distinct than usual.
It was a story that she was no longer a clone.
“...Pocalor.”
“Yes, it’s me.”
She smiled, brushing her hair back.
“This must be the first time you’ve seen me in real life, is it awkward?”
Pocalor asked, approaching the door and personally escorting her. Beryl shook her head.
“Not at all.”
She looked the same as usual. She didn’t feel unfamiliar at all. What was unfamiliar was the ashen landscape of hell and the demons inside the gates of hell that filled it...
That’s when she thought that.
A demon she had never seen before approached her and knelt down.
“I, who am so lacking, come to see you, Your Highness.”
There was deep loyalty and favor in his voice. It was completely different from the voices of the priests who had seemed to rot their ears just before she entered.
“...What is your name?”
“Kaladi.”
The demon who spoke like that couldn’t even raise his head as if it was an honor to be asked his name.
The demons standing in line behind him were the same.
They were all welcoming her even though they had never seen her before.
“Devils in Hell...”
Beryl realized. They were the ones who had endured a long time in Hell, waiting for the Gates of Hell to open.
“There were dozens, hundreds of them who were dying from lack of magic power.”
Kaladi said. His voice was filled with emotion.
“It was Vision who gave life to those people again.”
They were truly grateful.
“As soon as the Gates of Hell opened, they came in with the magic drink. Since it was something that radiated so much magic power even outside the Gates of Hell, inside Hell..."
Pocalor pointed at Kaladi.
“Kaladi had lost his right arm and right leg until yesterday.”
Her eyes widened at those words. Kaladi’s limbs looked fine to her.
“It has already been restored with sufficient magic power.”
Kaladi bowed deeply. Pocalor laughed.
“You did it.”
You made it with the magic drink you asked me to bring. And you... as a Saintess, performed the initiation ceremony and opened the gates of hell.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
The demons spoke in unison. Beryl opened her mouth slightly. She felt a new sense of relief, knowing that there were demons in hell, but not feeling it.
These were her people.
“Ah...”
She let out a short sigh. She clearly remembered what Belled had said one night.
Belled.
He said he was afraid that she would lose many things if she became a demon.
But that was not the case. Beryl slowly shook her head.
Perhaps the favor that humans had given her might never be with her.
However, there were so many demons who wanted her that there was no need to be sad about that.
“Let’s go. We don’t have much time.”
Pocalor gestured. Those holding clothes were standing where she had gestured. They were not the white clothes prepared by the priests who made people sick. They were the pitch-black clothes that Belled had prepared, and the pitch-black shoes that Pocalor had gifted her.
“The spring of desire has already been prepared. All you have to do is drink it.”
Pocalor, who had been speaking lightly for a moment, added,
“If you drink it, your body will feel light for a while. After a while, you will suddenly feel sick.”
Everything must end in the meantime.
Pocalor said with determination.
“It’ll take 12 hours at most. We have to finish the battle with the temple within that time.”
If they don’t, only the losers will be left outside the door.
She said,
“A victory without you is not a victory.”
Pocalor’s gaze turned sharply to Beryl. The gazes of the other demons standing behind her were also directed straight at her.
Belled and the other demons outside must have thought the same.
“You must survive, Beryl.”
Pocalor said. Beryl suddenly realized those words.
The only person who had been so earnestly telling her to survive was herself.
It was so overwhelming to hear from someone else what she had always told herself as if she was making a promise...
“...Ah.”
Beryl closed her eyes. There was no time, it was difficult when she couldn’t see in front of her, it wasn’t sad, but if she cried, she would worry. She couldn’t hold back her tears.
You must survive, Beryl.
It was so overwhelming to hear those earnest words from someone else.
“Yes, I will.”
Of course. No matter what pain and danger it may entail.
She nodded repeatedly.
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