Salvos

Chapter 610: Perdition Part One

610. Perdition Part One

A ploy to save his own life?

My brows snapped together. I glanced between Haec, Taburas, Bertrugil, and Aemula sat to the side, just as perplexed as I was. We turned back to the Devil who sighed.

That is right. Everything he did it was all for his own benefit. His own gain. It was a trick, so to speak.

I felt my eyes twitching as I watched my dad wag his fingers with a smirk. I harrumphed and crossed my arms.

So you got tricked by the Trickster! Good job are you stupid or something?

Sal shook his head, before turning away from me. He stared at the glass-like surface of my pocket space. I caught a glimpse of his reflection, and I saw a morose expression there. Nothing like the Devil I knew.

I paused. It was the first time I had seen my dad look so pained. His eyes fluttered shut, and he placed a hand on his chest.

Perhaps to you I may look like just an old fool

He whispered as I saw flashes of his memories in his eyes.

A young Lesser Demon, kneeling in a bloodied pool at the bottom of a crater, on the verge of death. But standing before him was a faceless figure a cosmic creature. It was Trico. The Trickster. The Worldwalker.

Trico raised a hand, and Samuels wounds began to close.

Sal raised his head, looking up with a somber gaze.

But you do not understand, my dear daughter. You were not there. Trico had guided me for over a thousand years. He had been by my side, saving my life numerous times again and again.

And I saw another flash of the Devils past.

The same Lesser Demon ran across a white valley. He looked different now. He had a tail, and he stood taller more muscular.

He was a Greater Demon now. Stronger, smarter. But he was still no match for a Primordial Demon.

Samuel sprinted for his life, screaming as he walked in the path of a terrible beast. No it wasnt just a beast. It was the Beast. But smaller.

It lumbered forward, its many heads sweeping over the landscape. It opened one of its mouths, and Samuel braced himself. But a hole opened beneath him. A tear in space.

Samuel fell through , landing in the middle of a white cavern as the Beast unleashed its white flames, before the hole closed. He groaned as he lay there, rubbing his back. And before him, Trico stared at him, the stars in his body twinkling brightly.

I blinked, returning to reality. But Sal wasnt finished. His eyes flickered, and he looked down at the palm of his hand.

Trico taught me everything I knew. He guided me. He made me the Devil King. He helped me build my kingdom. It was all because of him.

Samuel sat in the middle of a white cavern. He was an Archdemon now, and he had a metallic ring in the palm of his hand. It was shoddily-made clearly crafted by his inexperienced hands. He messed with it. Tinkered with it. And standing behind him, the Trickster watched, nodding approvingly.

You call me a fool, but I trust Trico as you trust me now. After all, am I not the Devil? Am I not known for my tricks? For my cruel pranks? For the way I toy with the lives of others?

Sal clenched his fist, before spinning around to face me as I froze. He held my gaze. He stared only at me, and I could only look at him. It was like Haec, Taburas, Bertrugil, and Aemula had just evaporated.

Would you also think yourself a fool if I slaughtered all your friends right this moment?

And for a moment, I saw a murderous intent in the Devils gaze. It was not anger, but it was still overwhelming. A sense of bloodlust that made me want to drop to my knees.

Whatever could you mean, my apprentice?

The Worldwalker replied, tilting his head curiously. Samuel gritted his teeth. He bit back his tears and gestured at the first vestiges of the corruption that was taking hold behind him.

Dont play dumb with me! You know what Im talking about! This this this

The Devil King failed to muster up the words. Belphegor paused, staring in shock at his lover. And so did the rest of Samuels subjects. None of them had ever seen their monarch display such emotions before.

Even Samuel had never seen this side of himself in a long time. The last time he had felt so vulnerable, he was a mere Lesser Demon. Tears slid down his cheeks as he faced the Trickster. He waited for a response as his breathing grew labored.

Belphegor is wrong.

Trico finally said as he placed a finger on his chin. For a moment, the Devil King paused, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. But it immediately vanished as the Worldwalker continued.

It is not just Nahum, Baal, Buer, or Furfur who will die because of me. It is every single plant, animal, and creature in all of the Nexeus that shall die because of me.

He chuckled as he shook his head. And Samuel froze. It was like the world itself shattered. Everything went quiet. Even the chittering of the spreading corruption faded away as he stumbled back. He looked down at himself as he gasped.

The memories of all the time he had spent with Trico flashed in his head. All the things he had learned. All that he had been taught. It was all a lie?

But why?

Samuel mustered up the strength to ask. Trico just shrugged in response.

Because, my apprentice, you must understand, I do not actually care about the Nexeus.

He shook his head as he gestured at the world around them.

I know, its surprising! But I dont care about this place in the slightest! I mean Im not from this world, so why should I care about it at all?

The Devil King blinked as each word seemed to strike him across the face. Trico nodded, placing his hand on his chest.

I know, its surprising! But I have seen dozens of worlds collapse, brought about naturally by an apocalypse. I have witnessed the end of universes, destroyed by wandering Void Pirates. So I dont actually care if the Nexeus is destroyed or saved.

Samuel wasnt sure how to react. He just listened, left in a state of shock. But it didnt matter how much pain he seemed to be in, the Trickster didnt stop there. He strode forward, chuckling softly as he spoke simply.

And you know whats even more surprising?

Trico came to a halt right before the Devil King. He held Samuels gaze as his body became engulfed in an all-consuming darkness. The stars in his face winked out of existence, and the nebula spreading across his chest faded away.

The Worldwalker whispered into Samuels ears.

Its that you are somehow so full of yourself you actually believed you were the one who slew Via that you were the one who brought about the death of a Worldwalker.

Samuels eyes went wide.

I what?

Did you really think that any Worldwalker who saw that scene would believe you are the one responsible for killing her? Even with my Divine Trident, your mortal hands couldnt even scratch the surface of her skin.

Trico leant forward, shaking his head as the Devil King remembered that moment in the crater so long ago.

You may have distracted her, my apprentice, and you may have even held the blade for me, but it was I who killed her. It was I who slew another Worldwalker. And it was I who would have faced perdition for her murder, had you not claimed credit for what I did.