Rise Of The Villain : In a World Ruled By Anomalies

Chapter 193: Chapter 192 : Exiting the dream realm

Astaroth’s relaxed expression froze.

"Wait," Astaroth said slowly. "What did you just say...? How could that be possible...?"

Arthur watched his reaction, almost amused.

"I know, I know," Arthur said. "A Demon Lord can’t be born like a normal child."

He looked out at the endless blue sea, the waves rolling in quietly.

"They’re created by the Demon God," Arthur went on. "And you already told me a Demon Lord doesn’t truly die unless their soul is completely obliterated. So you already have your answer for how it happened."

Astaroth fell silent.

His eyes unfocused as he searched through knowledge buried beneath centuries of memories. The method was simple and ancient—primitive, even—but it came with heavy limitations. Most Demon Lords considered it beneath them.

Then he spoke.

"Soul exchange..." Astaroth murmured. "It must’ve been a contract."

Arthur snapped his fingers.

"Bingo," Arthur said. "Aiden’s parents loved their children dearly."

He leaned back in his chair, his gaze turning distant as he recalled the story.

"But their family was cursed," Arthur continued. "Every newborn daughter in that bloodline died after only a week or two."

He exhaled.

"It had been years since a single daughter had survived," Arthur said. "So when their first child was born—a daughter—Aiden’s parents were overjoyed."

His eyes darkened.

"But the curse did its work," Arthur said. "After a week or two, the girl became gravely ill. Everyone knew she only had another day or two to live."

Consumed by grief, they prayed.

"They begged every god people believed in," Arthur said. "They cried, pleaded, offered everything they had."

He let out a quiet snort.

"But you know how that goes," Arthur said. "Why would those gods care about some dying child who couldn’t even entertain them?"

Nothing happened.

No miracle.

"So, driven mad by despair," Arthur said, "Aiden’s mother prayed to a demon instead."

He looked directly at Astaroth.

"That’s when Astarte appeared....they formed a contract. In exchange for the girl’s life, Astarte gave aidens mother ten years to live with her family."

The contract worked.

"The daughter lived. The contract was fulfilled," Arthur said.

"And two years later, Aiden was born."

He sighed.

"But after that," Arthur continued, "Aiden’s mother began to suffer from a strange illness. Her health slowly deteriorated."

Arthur’s gaze sharpened.

"And as you know," Arthur said, "there’s no such thing as a good demon."

He tapped a finger against the table.

"Astarte didn’t simply save the girl," Arthur said. "She took over her body. She used it as a vessel and lived for years within Aiden’s family as their ’daughter.’"

He paused.

"The day Aiden’s mother died," Arthur said, "the contract was complete. Astarte simply walked away."

He shrugged.

"She never returned."

Grief did the rest.

"Aiden’s father, broken by the loss of both his wife and his daughter, died only a few months later," Arthur said. "And Aiden was left with a single goal."

He looked back toward the shimmering sea.

"To find his sister."

Astaroth’s eyes glistened.

A tear slipped down the corner of his eye as he sniffed dramatically.

"What a heart-touching story," Astaroth said. "Even I didn’t know Astarte was enjoying herself so much behind my back."

Arthur’s mouth twitched.

"You call that enjoyment?" Arthur asked dryly.

Astaroth chuckled.

"You may not know this," Astaroth said, "but to us demons, humans are the most fascinating creatures."

He crossed his arms.

"We don’t usually understand what love, affection, or caring for others truly means," Astaroth said. "To us, those things seem pointless. Even disgusting."

He watched the slow rise and fall of the waves.

"But we still try to understand them," Astaroth continued. "Over time, we even feed on those emotions."

His gaze returned to Arthur.

"You might be the only exception," Astaroth said.

"My successor."

Arthur let out a long sigh.

"Whatever twisted hobbies you demons have, do as you like," Arthur said. "And don’t call me your successor. It feels like bad luck."

He rested his elbows on the table.

"One more thing," Arthur said. "Why are you helping me at all?"

Astaroth smirked.

"As I told you," Astaroth said, "we demons live for pure entertainment. We only truly obey the Absolute One."

"The Absolute One..." Arthur repeated.

"The Demon God."

"Correct," Astaroth replied.

He pointed at Arthur once again.

"But you," Astaroth said, "are the most interesting thing I’ve ever seen."

He leaned forward.

"You’re walking a path that technically challenges the Demon God himself," Astaroth said. "None of us demons are free—or insane—enough to even think about doing that."

A grin spread across his face.

"But you... you’re different," Astaroth said. "You’re a being born from nothing, with a hunger that never ends."

He tapped the tabletop.

"I want to see how far you can go," Astaroth said. "I want to see whether you can break the limitations I was never able to."

Arthur rolled his eyes.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night," Arthur said. "You’re just too embarrassed to admit you lost to a child."

Astaroth looked away, refusing to meet Arthur’s gaze.

"Details..." Astaroth muttered.

Suddenly, the sky above them rippled.

A clear, familiar voice echoed across the beach.

[ Host, you’re there, right? ]

Arthur’s brow immediately lifted.

"System, you bastard," Arthur said, glaring at the sky. "Where the hell were you while I was stuck here alone with this creepy bastard?"

A vein bulged on Astaroth’s forehead.

"Creepy bastard? Hey! Who the hell are you talking to?" Astaroth snapped.

Arthur ignored him.

He kept his eyes fixed on the sky.

"Did it work?" Arthur asked.

The answer came, calm and mechanical.

[ It did. I had to make some very risky adjustments, but it worked. If you wish, I can begin the healing process immediately. ]

Arthur didn’t hesitate.

"Then what the hell are you waiting for?" Arthur said. "Do it. I want to get out of here as soon as possible. This place gives me the creeps."

Astaroth scoffed quietly.

"This is the nicest border realm I’ve ever created," Astaroth muttered.

Arthur’s surroundings slowly began to blur.

The sound of the waves grew faint.

The vibrant blue of the ocean faded into pale gray.

Even the sand beneath his chair began to lose its solidity, dissolving into drifting smoke slowly and surely.