The Author's POV

Ren sat in front of the projections, and as he looked at them, his gaze moved around to the various projections next to him.

The words "The Pillar of Wrath?" escaped his lips as faint recollections of what had transpired moments before began to resurface within his mind. Slowly but surely, he pieced together the puzzle and came to a sudden understanding.

'So that's what those things were.'

Ren found himself confronted with Jezebeth's sly smile as he turned his head. Jezebeth's gaze seemed to be shifting between the projections and Ren as if he was trying to gauge his reaction to the matter.

"What do you think?"

Jezebeth asked, his tone light but his eyes serious.

Ren frowned, pondering over the situation. It was clear that Jezebeth had a plan and that he had been working towards it for some time.

"It looks like you've already gotten an idea of the situation."

Jezebeth commented, clearly amused by his hesitation. He then began to explain, his words flowing smoothly.

"Like I said before… you can hide them from me, but you can't stop me from bringing them to me. Over the years, my mastery over the laws has progressed to the point where I can finally feel the records."

Jezebeth stretched out his hand as if trying to grasp something that was just out of reach.

"I can feel them," he murmured. "They are so close, yet so far, and..."

Lowering his head, Ren felt Jezebeth's gaze. The intensity of his gaze made him feel uncomfortable.

"You're the last step in helping me reach that goal."

Jezebeth muttered, his words slow and deliberate.

So long as he killed Ren and absorbed all of his powers, he'd finally be able to take that last step and get his hands on the records.

With the Protectors gone and all the fragments collected, he was the last hurdle that stood in his way of reaching his goal.

He, needed to die.

"The Pillars are something I've designed over the past few regressions. I've spent quite a lot of time developing them. What they do is rather simple; they create a pocket dimension where all demons inside find their abilities amplified."

Jezebethe pointed at the projections with his long and slender hand.

"As you've seen, there are seven pillars in total. Each representing one of the sins and amplifying their abilities to the point where even I shudder at the results… "

Jezebeth's smile widened, and he leaned back in his chair. Taking a sip of the tea, he gazed at Ren with a relaxed expression.

"How long do you think they'll be able to survive in such a place? One hour? Two hours? Three hours? A day? A week? Or maybe even a month? …Do you really think they have the ability to defeat them?"

did not change as he

in mind when

"You know…"

the

talk to you, the more I feel like I'm talking to him. I guess, in the time since we last saw each other, he must've done quite a bit in order to make you the way that

Jezebeth's eyes suddenly squinted.

I'd like for you

sudden. Though faint, an echo lingered in his voice, and the surroundings

you no longer need to

in order to free himself from his unfortunate circumstances, this time around, things were very

kill Jezebeth in order

should be well aware of what my goal is by now. I want the Records, and I will do anything in

his head

order for that to happen, I

no emotions in his words as he gazed at Ren. The situation was simple. In order for him to get to the Records, he needed to get his hands on the remaining powers

in a

That being said…

gain access

was the

figure out the answers that I seek and finally be set free from this long game

head toward the projections that were

were several thousand images on them, and each one was more eerie than the one before it. They portrayed a number of humans and members of other races engaged in a ferocious battle against

were armed with swords and shields, but the otherworldly creatures that were surrounding them

It didn't look like

tore his gaze away from the projections and once again looked at

"Here comes the deal..."

his hand up, he pointed

yourself and give me your powers, and in exchange, I will end

his

any of them, not even one of them. If you kill yourself right now, in this very moment, I promise that I won't hurt any of those humans, and in fact, I'll do everything in

"…"

have much of an

he calmly drank it and cast

'Not enough?'

somewhat astounded Jezebeth, but he wasn't entirely surprised. He had always been like

Even so…

He was prepared.

is

and all of a

attention was a pair of striking green eyes. All of a sudden, Ren's shoulder trembled, and Jezebeth didn't

He smiled a little.

mask and show

figure that stood in front of Ren slowly brought their hands closer