Chapter 612: Perdition Part Three


    <strong>612. Perdition Part Three</strong>


    The vision came to an end. I hadnt seen all of it clearly a lot of it was a blur, barely evenprehensible to me. But I felt the emotions my dad had felt back then. It was numbing. But my heart ached, and my mind spun in confusion.


    It was almost too much for me.


    And I knew I just knew that the feelings the Devil had conveyed were muted. Diluted. It was not the raw sense of betrayal he had been ovee with at the time. He had purposefully filtered it through a lens for me. Perhaps it was even for himself.


    I didnt know whether that was true. I didnt even know how to react. I stood there in stunned silence as the Devils memory came to an end. He raised his hand, continuing his soliloquy, his words echoing in my pocket space as the white mes of the Beast burned around us.


    I do not wish to relive these memories, my dear daughter. They are from a time long before now when I was a different person. When I bore a different sin.


    I honestly wasnt sure how much time had passed since we started our conversation. But theke of fire beneath us no longer burned as brightly as before. Had it only been a day? A few hours? A few minutes? A few days?


    When I was lost in my dads memories, I lost track of time. It could have happened all in an instant. Or time could have passed just as it did in reality. Or it might have been like when I was asleep even if I didnt sleep often where it was hard to gauge how much time had passed.


    Either way, living through the Devils history had exhausted me. It wasnt just an emotional drain, but seeing that battle it was even more intense that the duel between the Beast and [The Great Agarus].


    Even though there were only a hundred Worldwalkers there, each one was probably as strong as the Beast maybe even stronger!


    With thebined effort of the Nexeus back then, perhaps they could have prevailed. Especially with all the Lesser Gods that had been around at the time. But right now? I wanted tough, knowing what I had seen.


    Perhaps the Spirit ne was different. I didnt know much about the Spirit Lord, nor did I know anything about what he was doing. There was also the Fairy Queen, and supposedly, she was quite powerful. But both the Mortal Realm and the Netherworld were reallycklusterpared to the Nexeus of old.


    And the fact was they were defeated by the end of the world. They couldnt stop the corruption. The world was still ending, and now they were all gone. My dads kingdom. All the Dragons. Even the Centinels were forced to flee to Secely.


    The world was going to end. And it was all


    It was all my fault.


    Sal whispered as he raised his head. I blinked, hearing the thought finish not in my head, but from my dads words. I ced a hand on my chest, feeling this heavy weight pulling me down. It was guilt.


    A sense of guilt that I never felt before. One that belonged to the Devil one that spurred me to me him for the unending wall of corruption that was making its way through the Second Layer of the Netherworld.


    I bit my lower lip as he shook his head.


    I caused the end of the world, my dear daughter. I understand that I am wrong for that. However, you cannot me me for believing in a man I thought was my master.


    Sal raised his head, sighing mncholically.


    I trusted Trico with more than just my life. I trusted him with the entire world. Because he was the only reason I was alive. So I thought he cared for me. I thought he saw me as his own child.


    There was no vision here. Just the Devils wistful words. But when I heard it, I could feel the pain he felt. It rang like echoes of the emotions he shared from his memories.


    Perhaps it was my fault that the world is ending. Maybe I should not have been so egotistical to believe that I was the one who killed Via how could I possibly think that I was the one who slew a Worldwalker? I was a mere Lesser Demon. It was so foolish of me to have thought I was capable of anything at that moment other than acting as a distraction.


    Sal ground his teeth together. Another new emotion I had never seen him express. Frustration not anger, but just sheer frustration.


    His lips quivered, and he took a step back. He turned away from me as he ced a hand on his chest.


    But I cannot be med for failing to see through the lies of the Tricksters thousand-year-n. You can me the Dragons. You can me the Spirits. But you cannot me me for that.


    The Devil finished as he closed his eyes. I stared at him I peered into his back, before I looked back down at myself. The weight inside of me remained. It stillpelled me to condemn my dad.


    And yet, I didnt remember this feeling when I approached him earlier. It only came to me progressively with each vision I was shown. I thought it was a result from seeing his memories I thought that I was condemning him for knowing what he had done wrong.


    But I realized now that was wrong. Slowly, I rose to my feet. My dad didnt react. He didnt even notice me as I walked up to him. He only realized I was there when I was standing right behind him.


    He covered his face as he tried to turn away from me.


    Oh, I know how you feel. I know you think Im in the wrong. But


    And I poked the Devil on the side. He blinked, breaking out of his pit of self-pity for a moment to stare at me.


    I dont actually think its your fault the world is ending.


    I spoke simply, before crossing my arms. My dad slowly looked me up and down as I continued.


    Youre the one who is ming yourself youre the one whos drowning yourself in your own guilt. I can literally <em>feel </em>it.


    I didnt know if it was a byproduct of Sals magic that showed his memories, or if it was something else. Perhaps he might have had a Skill that was simr to [Truth Divination]. Whatever it was, it was bleeding into my emotions, and it was making me want to condemn him even though I knew I didnt want to.


    The Devil opened his mouth, then closed his mouth for a moment. He shook his head and turned around like a feisty child.


    You were the one who came out swinging, using me of causing the end of the world!


    Thats true.


    I ced a hand on my chin as Sal harrumphed. I waved a hand dismissively, exining my thought process.


    I only said it because thats what I was told. Or thats what I heard. Or something. I dont exactly remember. But I asked you about it because I wanted to hear the truth from you.


    I watched as the Devil pursed his lips. He looked like he wanted to avert his gaze from me, but I stared deep into his eyes not the eyes of Samuel the Devil KIng, but the ck eyes of Sal, my father.


    And after hearing everything youve said, I dont think its your fault.


    His eyes went wide, and I continued.


    You were tricked. You were manipted since you were a Lesser Demon. So you cant possibly be the one to me for the end of the world. And neither are the Dragons or the Spirits or anyone. There is only one person at fault


    I raised a finger, punctuating my point.


    and its Tricos fault.


    I finished as Sal stared at me. He paused for only a brief second, before pointing usingly at me.


    Youre only saying that because youre my daughter.


    I groaned, rolling my eyes.


    Youre not going to believe me no matter what I tell you, huh?


    Well, of course. My daughter would be biased.


    The Devil snorted, crossing his arms. I turned around, facing the audience that had been there the entire time. Haec, Taburas, Bertrugil, and Aem exchanged a nce.


    Well, what about you guys, then? Do you guys agree with my dad saying how hes to me here? Or do you agree with me when I say its not his fault?


    Haec hesitated. He scratched the back of his head, before answering.


    I believe it is a lot more nuanced than that, Salvos.


    Sal gestured emphatically at mypanion.


    See! Even your brother agrees with you! Everyone thinks its my fault!


    I scowled, shooting Haec a re. He gave me a helpless shrug. I turned back to the Devil with an exasperated sigh.


    Look, not everyone thinks it is your fault. Im telling you, if you keep ming yourself, all youll feel is pain and guilt.


    I spoke insistently as my dad raised a brow at me.


    Oh yeah? And who else knows the truth of what happened back then, but still doesnt me me now?


    It was a question that was meant to trap me to stump me. He was grinning, not because he was proud of what he had done. He was grinning because he thought he had caught me and won the argument. But I was prepared for it.


    I gave the Devil a quick response.


    Belphegor.


    And immediately, Sal froze. The grin on his face vanished as I held his gaze.


    Belphegor said its not your fault.


    Oh.


    Was all the Devil could say.