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Layla nodded as if there was nothing surprising, "Lord Zito takes pleasure in all kinds of pain. Ensuring loyal subordinates experience pain is one of Lord Zito's sources of pleasure."
"In that case," asked Kelliark, "are you prepared to endure anything, whether it be killing for Zito or suffering in his name?"
"Yes. All of us demons, including me, exist solely for Lord Zito's sake."
Zito had never explained his 'ultimate goal' to his subordinates, including the Demon King. As a result, most demons believed that the purpose of this current invasion was simply to dominate the humans through pain. They believed that creating a new order through suffering would replace the Sun God, leading to a destiny that would benefit everyone.
However, Kelliark had learned that Zito's desired world was even more horrifying than that.
"Don't you ever think it's a pitiful life?" he asked.
"You keep making disrespectful remarks," Layla replied. "But I have no intention of killing a human who has the witch behind him, so you may leave now."
At that moment, fire flickered in Kelliark's eyes without warning. Layla mistakenly thought it was a surprise attack and drew her rapier.
But for some reason, when she met Kelliark's burning gaze, she couldn't move.
Just like how Dylus experienced unfamiliar scenes while dying in Grosch Castle's front defense line moments ago, unknown memories were flooding into Layla's mind. The memories she had been forgetting.
"Ugh… What have you done?" Layla asked, trembling as she held her head. Her mind was extremely confused, so she could swing her sword properly.
"Just think of it as me helping you," Kelliark explained. "This is an authority I call 'Fire of Awakening.' Do you feel something surfacing in your mind?"
"What is this...?"
"You probably know better than I do. But I don't think it's too difficult to guess the content. Memories of lost family, friends, lovers... or something equally precious, right?"
Tears of blood flowed from Layla's eyes as she nodded.
The vivid, horrifying scenes of her loved ones being ruthlessly torn apart by Zito, the excruciating torture that had been enough to make her forget it all—everything was still haunting her consciousness as if it had happened yesterday.
Sometimes, Zito's brainwashing would kick in again, intensifying her anger towards Kelliark. However, she struggled not to lose the newly resurfaced memories, unlike Dylus.
After a moment, the fire in Kelliark's eyes went out.
"Ugh, ugh...!" Layla gasped for breath, raising her head.
Kelliark, too, was drenched in sweat, trying to catch his breath. Using the Fire of Awakening carried significant risks.
Furthermore, even if he continued to endure the dangers and maintain the Fire of Awakening, it was impossible to completely eliminate Zito's brainwashing. Even the witch Helluram couldn't do that.
"...What you saw just now was just a fragment. Only a small part of the forgotten memories has surfaced. I don't need to explain it, do I? Because you must be feeling it more than anyone else. In other words, you've been brainwashed by Zito all this time."
This was unbelievable.
Layla simply couldn't bring herself to say such words. Just as those who saw the Seal of Fire felt an absolute trust, it was the same for those who had experienced the Fire of Awakening.
"It is the same even now, I've temporarily pushed aside Zito's authority using the Fire of Awakening. If I don't continue with the follow-up measures, you'll become Zito's loyal dog once again before long."
"Hah."
"On the other hand, it might be better if you can't confirm all the truths you've forgotten. Just seeing how agonized you are with only this much makes me think that your mind might completely collapse if everything comes rushing back."
"Kelliark Zipfel... How did you find out about the existence of my erased memories?"
"The answer to that depends on what kind of relationship you and I will have from now on. I'll ask again, Layla Belgasyum. Do you still think it's right to remain loyal to Zito?"
There was a long silence.
"...What do you want from me?"
"I want you to fight alongside me in the future, not for Zito."
"Lord Zito, no, Zito... Are you thinking of taking him down and conquering the True Demon World?"
"I have no interest in ruling the True Demon World. To me, the True Demon World is merely a means to reclaim my clan. However, once I have regained my clan, the True Demon World will need a ruler who is worthy, someone who can be called the king of a demon world, not a monster like Zito."
Plop…
Pouring another cup of tea, Kelliark said, "I believe it should be your older brother, Paellito Belgasyum. What do you think?"
"...Does Sir Paellito know about this? Is he also under Zito's brainwashing?"
"You are asking the obvious. Paellito is just like you were a moment ago. He doesn't know that he's been brainwashed, and he doesn't know why he's so blindly loyal to Zito. He used to be the one who resisted Zito the most vehemently, across the entire True Demon World, until he was brainwashed."
"Ugh!"
Layla suddenly groaned in excruciating pain that surged through her body.
"Oh, Zito's energy is already trying to devour your awakened mind once more. As I mentioned earlier, since you've experienced the Fire of Awakening, you'll keep experiencing this kind of pain regularly for some time. Is it too much to bear?"
Layla couldn't even muster a response and contorted her body in agony for several minutes.
"This time I asked an obvious question. But if you truly want to seek revenge against Zito, you'll have to endure this pain continuously. It means you need determination. If you accept the brainwashing again because you're afraid of the pain, it'll become easier. But in return, the memories you've regained will vanish."
"I have no intention of making it easier. This kind of pain... I can endure it no matter what. I won't fight for Zito any longer."
"Good. So, will you fight alongside me?"
"Now that you've revealed the truth, I owe you that much. However, it doesn't mean I'll pledge complete loyalty to you. I will fight for the Belgasyum family, for Sir Paellito, for the True Demon World, and for myself in the future."
"That's a commendable response. If you like my way, give me your loyalty, there will be no reason for regret. However, mere words won't prove your determination."
"What should I do then?"
"Visit the Poison Demon Castle once every fifteen days from now on."
"The Poison Demon Castle?"
"I reside in the Poison Demon Castle, so each time you come, I'll use the Fire of Awakening for you. And at some point, if you stop looking for me, then I'll understand that you've become Zito's servant again."
"That won't happen. Thank you for helping me realize who my enemy is."
Despite the painful memories that tore at her heart, Layla quickly regained her composure. She knew that from now on, even a moment of weakness could make her Zito's prey again.
"But speaking of the Poison Demon Castle, it seems you've already captured Ragal Fun. Was that scoundrel also brainwashed like me?"
"He had indeed become a fool because of the brainwashing. Originally, Ragal Fun was a remarkably talented individual. So, be courteous when dealing with him from now on. He started awakening before you, and he's enduring greater pain than you are."
"Enduring greater pain than me...? That Ragal...?"
Of course, Ragal had never experienced such things. Kelliark had simply manipulated him without using the Fire of Awakening. Moreover, Kelliark didn't know if Ragal was truly exceptional before the brainwashing. Kelliark had just boosted Ragal's loyalty through a simple method.
Layla briefly recalled Ragal's coarse and shallow behavior and nodded. She hadn't pledged loyalty to Kelliark like she had with Zito, but since Kelliark acknowledged Ragal, there was no need to disregard him as she had before.
"Understood. I'll be careful. It's quite surprising, Kelliark... It seems you've gained the status of immortality. You were an unexpected individual."
"Well then, I'll take my leave. Endure the pain and come back to me in 15 days, and then we can discuss things in more detail. By then, I can truly trust your own will."
"Got it. I'll come to the Poison Demon Castle in 15 days."
***
The front-first line of defense of the True Demon World, which had been at sea.
Whoooo...!
Every time the sea breeze blew, the ashes of corpses of the demon army and the poison left by Ragal cast huge shadows on the sea. Grosch castle had abandoned the first defense line and no longer sent troops.
The forces of alliance refrained from advancing due to the poison. While it was possible for powerful beings like Jin to clear the poison and continue the assault, the priority was to find records regarding Ragal. After all, on the remaining three fronts, the other major factions were still engaged in battle.
"Valeria, would you like to take a break before continuing?"
Within Murakan's extended shadow force shield, blue windows were continuously being formed without rest. Valeria had been scouring the battlefield records for six hours already.
"It's okay, Jin. Sorting through the records with so many casualties is just a bit tedious, but it's not too difficult."
Jin gently wiped the sweat from Valeria's forehead.
<...Ragal Fun, the owner of the Poison Demon Castle, received a support request from Sakiel Grosch, the Chief Strategist of the True Demon World, and joined the battlefield.>
After a while, they finally found meaningful information about Ragal. Those two lines were all they needed.
It was enough to confirm the connection between Kelliark and Ragal.
"Phew, all the other records are just descriptions of the battle. Still, it was worth it. We've definitely clarified the connection between Kelliark Zipfel and Ragal Fun."
Jin nodded.
"It was as Visepps predicted. According to Visepps, Ragal Fun was undoubtedly under the influence of Zito's brainwashing, just like the others. But now, he prioritized Kelliark's orders over guarding Grosch castle, which means Kelliark has the ability to either undo or at least weaken Zito's brainwashing."
[Kid, is it possible that Kelliark and Zito are in cahoots?]
"I don't think so. If only Ragal had fought properly just now, their front-first defense line wouldn't have been obliterated like this. If Kelliark were loyal to Zito and True Demon World, Ragal would have fought at full strength."
Jin thought for a moment and continued.
"It seems like cracks are forming within True Demon World, probably due to Kelliark Zipfel."
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