I Became the Burden of a Conscienceless Party

70 – The Transcendents (1)

Transcendents (1)

Before everything is sorted out.

That is, this is what happened at the ruins.

Jim met Mara Papiyas and was blatantly displeased.

Was it Jim’s attitude that was annoying? Mara Papiyas said with a sigh.

“It’s just speculation, no matter what, to think that all of this was planned by me.”

A girl who pretended to be ordinary.

A dark force that gathers information and operates secretly using the ＜Eye of Truth＞.

“I was just adapting to the situation. Isn’t it your naivety, not mine, that is the cause of all this?”

Papyrus sneered at Jim, who was looking at him with displeasure.

“And in a way, it’s true that I’m helping you. You have an honest side, you know. You don’t have the strength to do anything like you did in front of me in the past, but if you try to get your nose out on the Demon King of the time, you’ll end up in trouble.”

“That’s not for you to judge, don’t you know?”

“Do you know? Well, if you say so, I don’t know. I can’t help but not know.”

I know very well what the being in front of me is like.

He does not yield to violence and does not bend his beliefs even when his life is at stake.

Because he had such a firm belief, he must have reached a place far beyond himself and seen something there.

“You didn’t tell me what you saw when you went up there, so I don’t know. But, since you didn’t like what you saw there, you came back down here and received the three poisons and seven desires from me, right?”

“… … .”

“Don’t look at me like that. I was just picking up and keeping what you threw away in order to transcend. I don’t plan on asking for it back now. And… … .”

Mara Papiyas was an evil spirit.

She is a ladder-kicking being who has done everything she can to hinder anyone who tries to rise above her.

But what if, despite her interference, there is a being that surpasses her?

Weak, unattractive, and powerless.

What if such a childish being were to overcome a dragon with only mental power?

But what if the one who had trampled her to get up there had asked her to come back down?

“It was quite enjoyable for me to see you fall on your own.”

She gladly accepted his request, even giving him the title she had originally called herself.

Because I wanted to watch that struggle. Because I wanted to see the results of that foolish choice.

That is why she paid a great price to bring down the Transcendent One.

She entrusted him with the evil deeds she had accumulated for him, as he indulged himself in the seven passions of lust in order to tarnish his nobility.

“And… … Kapilavastu, this is no longer a matter solely for you. It has now become a matter for me as well.”

Yeah, so she decided to help. So that he wouldn’t die foolishly sticking to his beliefs. So that he could build up strength to match his beliefs.

It was also about using extras to force him into the Demon King’s army and the hero party. It was also about making him grow by absorbing the karma accumulated by others.

“That little b*stard that was born because of your mistake has turned into a monster that even I can’t handle.”

This was because Belphegor, the Demon King of the time who was already strong, had acquired power that was no longer possible.

***

The center of the demon world.

Demon King’s Castle, Pigritia.

The Demon King’s Army’s regular meeting. Belphegor, who attended the meeting despite the inconvenience, was lying sprawled on his throne as usual.

However, if there is anything different from usual, it is that he looks quite upset.

“So, you ran away like a coward because you were wrong?”

Twelve… … No, Haona had nothing to say even if she had ten mouths.

Wasn’t that a truly ugly defeat?

Not only that, he asked for mercy from the enemy and fled.

Even if you execute yourself for that reason, there’s nothing you can do.

Haona returned to the Demon King’s Castle after considering that.

‘If I die, there’s nothing I can do. However, if I can survive, I can wait for the next opportunity… …!’

Even if you are a coward, you will survive.

For that reason, Haona was rather confident.

Even if you want to survive cowardly, you must not show yourself cowardly in front of the Demon King.

Haona knows how messed up Belphegor’s personality is.

It was like that until just recently.

A being who prioritizes personal feelings over rules and regulations.

She acts like a child, as she appears. It’s better to be confident, even if it’s lacking, than to irritate others unnecessarily.

“under……!”

And Belphegor burst into laughter at the sight of Haona looking straight at him without even avoiding his eyes.

As Haona had expected, that confident appearance was able to appease Belphegor’s anger to some extent.

“Ha… … ! Look at you now. You came back in that state, I must have found it quite funny.”

She was willing to forgive Haona with a generous heart.

Of course, there were complaints.

If you don’t even do that much, the hierarchy will be shaken.

Yes, this is the moment to show the appearance of a seasoned king.

She tried again to change the person she had been sealing for a long time, but… … .

“… … Honestly, that’s what it was.”

“uh……?”

Although Haona was quick-witted, unfortunately, she was unable to recognize that part.

“And honestly, I still don’t know. In reality, I only got hit by the warrior party, so I don’t know… … .”

“What the heck is this kid?”

So are you saying that the warrior party is not funny and I am funny?

Belphegor grabbed Haona by the collar, speechless with rage. Because of her small size, Haona was actually being dragged down rather than dragged in… … .

‘Why? Your Majesty clearly doesn’t like to be honest and confident!’

He didn’t act like a jerk like last time. He didn’t cut me off, and instead of beating me up for my decision, he spoke candidly and honestly, telling me only the truth.

But even he, with that level of insight, had some things he didn’t know.

‘Is this guy a traitor? Is this guy a traitor too? No, what the heck… … .’

Belphegor’s self-esteem was so high that he could tolerate others’ insults but could not tolerate himself being insulted.

Are you saying that you think you’re that funny?

She also knows that she lacks the dignity of a Demon King.

But how can you stand being mocked every time you change the first person like this?

“Ten!”

“… … Yes? Me?”

Belphegor glared at Haona as if he was going to kill her, then turned his head and called out to Ten, the commander of the 10th Legion.

“What do you think of Jim?”

She made a reasonable deduction. After Eleven, Twelve… … no, even Haona was looking down on her.

Belphegor felt that the commanders of the lower ranks were somehow making fun of her, so he called Ten, who could be said to be the next in line.

These people have one thing in common: they weren’t there when Leviathan was taken down.

Yes, they don’t know how powerful Belphegor is.

“What do you think of Jim? Be honest with me.”

Of course, if he were to honestly say that he was making fun of him, Belphegor would not tolerate it.

I told you to be honest, but I didn’t say I would forgive you if you were honest.

And Corps Commander Ten is a social person who knows how to clearly see that part.

“Well, of course Jim is special! Jim is a very special being.”

“No, what is this kid?”

But the most important part was the difference in perception.

There is a big gap between what Belphegor thinks of Jim (first person) and what the legion commanders think of Jim (the idiot).

In such a situation, the empty words of Corps Commander Ten, who tried to deify the disabled, led to the insurrection itself.

‘Why does this kid call himself a burden? Is he really a traitor?’

However, Belphegor could not help but be astonished and forget about his anger at the answer that surpassed his imagination.

Belphegor’s gaze begins to scan Haona, Ten, and the other legion commanders one by one.

As the commanders began to feel something was wrong, they began to feel nervous under those cold, piercing gazes.

“I guess I was too easy on you. Yeah, it wasn’t like me.”

Hurrruk!

Belphegor, though lazy and erratic, intended to do his best as their monarch.

But is it really necessary to tolerate mocking oneself in this way?

She is a demon with a different personality from Haona, who quietly endured bullying during her school days.

She is an unforgiving being, except for those of her own clan.

“Yeah, I guess I needed an example.”

The conference room was instantly engulfed in blue flames. In an atmosphere where even breathing was cautious, the Demon King, Belphegor, reached out his hand toward Haona.

“Your Majesty! Please wait a moment!”

But there was someone who broke through Belphegor’s intimidation and intervened.

“Lieutenant General Release.”

“Can you spare him… … the lieutenant general?”

Belphegor withdrew his outstretched hand towards Haona at the sight of Lilith.

Even though I was furious, I wasn’t angry enough to kill my own kind.

If I had to be specific, it’s a feeling closer to sadness about not being recognized.

Once the brakes were applied, the emotions cooled down in an instant, like ashes left behind by a fire.

“The reason is?”

Belphegor had already lost all interest. Her boredom was rapidly eating away at her life without her knowing it.

“… … I think there would be a more appropriate punishment for him. For example, having him handle annoying tasks within the legion… … . Wouldn’t it be better to reinstate him to the position of legion commander and have him do the work… … .”

While Belphegor was already losing interest in Haona’s disposition, Lilith spoke nonsense but clearly stated what she wanted to say.

It was something she said because she wanted to return Haona to her original position before she died from the pressure of work, but Haona, who was defended, could not help but think differently.

“Sob… … .”

Haona cowardly tripped up Lilith, but Lilith risked her life to save Haona and offered advice to Belphegor.

Considering that Belphegor had childish standards and a personality that was unpredictable, Lilith was also in a very dangerous situation.

‘I will definitely repay this favor… … .’

The moment when Haona shed tears and was moved by Lilith, and the Demon King, Belphegor, sat back down on the throne with a look of weariness on his face.

‘Was this really what it was for…?’

‘They say he’s the Demon King’s bloodline, so he’s really amazing. Are all the Manmata clan like this? No, even if they are, I never thought they’d force such a gamble.’

The other legion commanders groaned at the fact that Lilith had practically taken Haona under her wing.

“Yes, I will do as you say. However, Lieutenant General, you will return to being the Corps Commander as Twelve starting today.”

“Tahhh! Phew! Tahhh! Tahhh! Thank you! Thank you! Your Majesty!”

The Demon King’s Army meeting was shrouded in silence.

There was now only the ugly, middle-aged crying sound flowing there.