Chapter 760: Oliver

A sinner who shamelessly sought salvation after committing a heinous crime screamed.

“I know better than anyone that my sins can’t be forgiven with just a few words! What stopped you was only our will─!!”

Amazingly, those words were genuine. Repenting for his sins in pursuit of salvation, he stood fearlessly before The Burned One, even though he might not be saved.

By his own will.

Honestly, it was pretty surprising.

To think that after receiving punishment and sinking into self-pity, such a fool would finally confront his sins with such action. Is this growth in its own way?

I could understand now, at least a little, why He left one final chance, even after deciding on the end.

After that brief thought, The Burned One belatedly questioned.

[… ‘Our’?]

As if in response to that question, countless people rushed in from all directions.

The sinners of arrogance, who worshipped Him as a god to fuel their sense of superiority, The Selectors.

The sinners of greed, born in back alleys and using violence to satisfy their selfish desires simply because they were exposed to poverty, the Fighter Crew.

The sinners of deceit, who repented for their sins in hopes of redeeming themselves and their twisted descendants, the Anti-Development Committee.

The sinners of wrath, though they were once victims, who passed down their hatred to children and nurtured it for their own use, the Kel Independent Free Army.

The sinners of sloth, using their professions as soldiers and police as shields, blindly following orders even when they knew they were wrong, the soldiers and police of the Kingdom.

At that moment, all these sinners cast aside their sins and charged at The Burned One for one reason: to save Oliver.

As the ring of fire above The Burned One’s head started to spin rapidly, ready to sweep away the charging sinners.

Grab!

A new arm sprouted from Bartholomew’s twisted body, grabbing the ring of fire.

Ssssscchhhhhh───!!

An ear-piercing screech filled the air as smoke rose from Bartholomew’s hand, and bits of flesh melted away, dripping down.

For a mere human to grab the divine flame. Impossible. But exposed to Hell, Bartholomew became part sinner of Hell, making the impossible possible.

Thanks to him, the charging crowd advanced to The Burned One, thrusting their weapons toward him.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Though their weapons were blocked by what seemed like an invisible wall, never touching The Burned One’s skin.

Ssshhh…

But that wasn’t the only thing.

Although not as severe as Bartholomew, the hands gripping weapons aimed at The Burned One were slowly burning.

The sickening smell of burning flesh filled the air, and black smoke rose.

Crack…

Despite the excruciating pain, they gritted their teeth, but not one person let go of their weapon.

Though they knew their weapons wouldn’t reach, though they knew only their hands would burn, they held on.

All for one reason: to buy even a single second more for Oliver to escape, by burning themselves.

“Grrrrrrrrrrgh….!!”

Their teeth broke, and blood flowed from their mouths, but no one retreated.

Watching them, The Burned One twisted his tongue like a demon.

[… Even if you do this, what will you-]

Tick.

A faint sound stopped The Burned One mid-sentence and interrupted his words.

Not a large step, but the sinners had advanced into The Burned One’s domain, even if by a paper-thin distance.

How?

The Burned One wondered. Was it because Bartholomew grabbed the ring of fire? Or was it something else?

Even The Burned One, a demon who knew almost everything, couldn’t find the answer this time.

How could this be possible?

It was nothing short of a miracle.

And witnessing that miracle, The Burned One briefly closed his eyes and then opened them again.

The ring of fire that Bartholomew held burst into motion, spinning faster, sending sparks everywhere.

Whoosh!

With a bright flash, Bartholomew’s body was torn apart, shredded like it had been sliced with a red-hot knife, turning to ash.

Most of the people surrounding The Burned One also burned away, leaving not even ash behind.

Those who survived included Marie, Joe, and Kel Independent Free Army’s commander Wallace, thanks to the interference of the Childs.

“Kyaaaaaaaa!”

But it wasn’t without a cost. Zombie Puppet Bathory, Durance, Seamus, and the Flesh Cook, along with First, Second, Third, and Force inside them, were burned and fell to the ground, screaming in pain.

The flames burned even their souls, causing damage beyond their bodies.

The Burned One raised a hand toward the fallen Childs and swung down.

At that moment, Marie stepped in, blessed by the Woman on the Camel, binding her hair around her arms to block The Burned One. Her hair and both arms burst into flames, and she fell to her knees.

“Hhhggghhhh…!!”

Though her arms had turned to ash, Marie suppressed her scream, clamping her mouth shut to stifle any sound.

She feared her scream might stop Oliver.

The Burned One silently looked down at Marie, and Marie silently looked up at him.

[…]

“…”

Unlike her charred body, Marie’s eyes did not kneel, and The Burned One extended his hand toward her quietly.

Wham!

Just before The Burned One could strike her, a beam of light exploded from afar, forming a gigantic pillar that shot up to the sky.

Captivated by the majestic sight, The Burned One’s attention was drawn entirely by the pillar as the light gently enveloped the ground.

It covered everything—and everyone, including The Burned One and his sword.

The warm and gentle light embraced the world, and after a moment, as the light receded, Oliver stood before The Burned One.

“Thank you for waiting.”

***

Everyone there, including The Burned One, looked at Oliver.

His once bleached-white hair had returned to its original black color. His burnt-off right arm was restored, and all the ghastly wounds covering his body had completely healed.

There was more. Though only slightly, Oliver seemed taller, and the youthful trace that had once been visible on his face hidden behind the leather mask had mostly faded.

Though the difference wasn’t very pronounced, everyone stared at Oliver as if hypnotized.

Even The Burned One stared blankly at Oliver, his flame-filled eyes unable to look away.

Step.

The Burned One, realizing the strange occurrence, glanced down at his feet.

Amazingly, he had taken a step back without realizing it.

One of the 72 Lords of Hell, descended to bring about the end of the world, had retreated, however briefly.

[…]

Realizing this, The Burned One looked ahead, seeing Oliver healing those around him, including Marie.

Marie’s severed arms had regrown, and the burns on everyone else, even those that had seared their souls, had vanished.

“O-Oliver…?”

A dazed Marie called out to Oliver.

Oliver softly asked her with a smile.

“Could you step back for a moment, please?”

“…”

Still unable to comprehend what was happening, Marie and the others just stared at him, unable to respond.

Seeing them like that, Oliver pressed his thumbs against the corners of his mouth and lifted them into a gentle smile.

“It’s all right. There’s no need to worry.”

After seeing that smile, everyone slowly relaxed and stepped back, leaving Oliver and The Burned One face to face alone.

“…You’ve regained what is yours.”

The Burned One gazed at Joanna, who had reverted to her ordinary human form, and spoke aloud.

A demon’s voice, which would burst a normal person’s body just by hearing it.

But no one died despite that voice resonating throughout. Not even a single person screamed from the pain.

As if someone was holding back the power in the demon’s voice.

“It’s because everyone helped. And I also owe you my thanks.”

That someone thanked The Burned One while looking him in the eye.

Without a trace of deception or mockery, just pure sincerity.

“Me?”

“Yes, The Burned One. If not for your consideration, I wouldn’t have had even this faint chance.”

The Burned One was about to respond, but seeing Oliver’s eyes, full of clarity and depth, he swallowed his words.

Those eyes knew everything, so much so that even The Burned One, shameless by nature, couldn’t bring himself to lie.

“Thank you… for taking on such a difficult role that no one else dares to shoulder. I truly thank you.”

His tone almost as if implying that The Burned One wasn’t killing people and bringing about the end for fun.

Instead of denying the words, The Burned One smiled through cracked, jagged lips. His mouth, filled with flames, glowed brighter than ever.

“You almost speak as if all the trouble is over already.”

“I apologize if it upset you.”

“But you don’t deny it.”

“Yes.”

Oliver’s confident reply. Flashes of intense heat sparkled through The Burned One’s cracked body, and the ring of fire above his head spun furiously.

Whirrrrrrrrr!!

At the same time, The Burned One took a step forward with the foot he had retreated, swinging a fist at Oliver.

A fist imbued with the flames of hell shot out, and surging heat capable of melting everything exploded towards everyone around.

But such destruction didn’t happen.

From a white shadow spreading beneath Oliver’s feet, twelve massive wings unfolded, shielding everyone from Hell’s searing heat.

“…!”

The Burned One was shocked.

Woooosh!!

Then a fierce wind blew from the wings, scattering The Burned One’s heat, stopping his fist aimed at Oliver.

Ssssscchhhh!

The wind extinguished the flames clinging to The Burned One’s body, slipping into his wounds and cooling the heat from within.

The Burned One tried to resist, but he couldn’t withstand the wind. He tumbled backward, rolling across the ground until he crashed into a building.

Everyone saw it.

They saw Oliver, wings spread wide from the shadow, and The Burned One, helplessly subdued, lying in the dirt.

Whump!

A great burst of flame erupted from the spot The Burned One had crashed, revealing him once more.

Somehow, The Burned One’s torn arm, side, thigh, and shoulder had all been restored.

Surprised, even he asked.

“What is it you’re doing?”

“Consider it my form of repayment. Since you’ve come all this way, do whatever you wish.”

The Burned One’s eyes widened, the fire within them glowing brightly.

“…Are you serious?”

“Is that not what you wanted?”

Unable to deny it, the Burned One smiled while looking at Oliver with his twelve wings spread.

“Ha! Ha! Ha! You…! You really do remind me of your father!”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, very much…! Though we all recognize your father, I can’t say the same for you… Fine! I will verify it myself! Whether you are as capable as Him! Come forth, my sword!!”

The Burned One extended his hand toward his flaming sword, which hovered in the air.

Oliver also raised his hand, summoning his quarterstaff.

“Come.”

Woosh!

The flaming sword and the quarterstaff sliced through the air, returning to their respective owners.

The Burned One and Oliver each grasped their respective weapons.

The Burned One, now wielding his original sword, raised it to the sky and commanded.

“Flames, come to your master!”

The world shook as a sea of flames, swirling with yellows, oranges, and reds, descended through the sky’s gaping black holes.

Just seeing it could blind, hearing it could deafen, standing near it could vaporize.

But Oliver, spreading his wings wide, shielded everyone from the hellish fire.

Though he protected the people, he could not stop Hell’s fire from imbuing itself into The Burned One’s sword.

The sword, which once merely resembled a staff of flames, now absorbed the fire and grew so large it threatened to reach the sky.

And even then, The Burned One didn’t stop. He fused the ring of fire above his head with the sword, completing its true form.

A sword crafted by the gods to punish the world.

Crrrack!

The colors of the surroundings vanished, the air bent, the ground splintered, and even the fabric of space seemed on the verge of collapse.

Everyone realized in that moment: even one swing of that sword could bring about the end.

The Burned One gripped the sword with both hands, raising it overhead. As he was about to bring it down,

Oliver slightly raised his quarterstaff and tapped it against the ground.

Tock!

At that moment, a pillar of light pierced through the hole-riddled sky, crashing down onto The Burned One.

[Judgement]