Completely Opposite Existences

Starry Sky Palace.

In a rather quiet room, Hecate was sitting on the bed, curled up in a ball with her head buried in her knees, making it impossible to see her face.

And it has always been this way.

Seeing Hecate like this, the other two people present also fell silent, creating an indescribable atmosphere of deathly stillness.

After a long while, Shudenan finally let out a breath and let out a rare bitter laugh.

"This is the first time I've ever seen Hecate like this."

Belphegor, unusually, agreed with Shudenan's words.

"To be honest..." Belphegor sighed and said, "This is the first time I've ever seen Hecate like this."

That's why the two Demon Lord kings, the general and the Chief of Staff of the "Bal Masqué," look so worried.

Hecate's performance was so surprising that even the two Royal Capital had lived since ancient times, were somewhat at a loss.

In the past, Hecate was somewhat withdrawn, unapproachable, and even taciturn, rarely interacting with others, but that was only due to her unique nature.

This girl's heart has always been empty, never filled.

If that's the case, then one cannot fully express their feelings.

It was precisely because of this that the girl's unprecedentedly extreme behavior made the two Demon Lord who had been by her side since ancient times so unable to cope.

"How despicable..." Shudenan's body rippled with a hint of ferocity as he said hatefully, "How dare he turn my Hecate into this state! Shouldn't that guy be killed?"

"I just didn't expect that the other party would be someone capable of even something like this." Belphegor glanced at Hecate and said in a low voice, "What exactly did Hecate see back then?"

This was something even Belphegor, one of the Three Pillars of the Chief of Staff Fang Li who had outmaneuvered Fang Li, couldn't understand.

The only thing that's certain is that it's definitely not something ordinary.

Otherwise, Hecate would never have become what it is today.

"Is it a blessing or a curse that the Reiji Maigo has fallen into the hands of such people?"

Belphegor murmured these words.

"Whether it's a blessing or a curse, we must quickly find a way to get the Reiji Maigo out of that human brat and then get rid of him." Shudenan said in a tone that left no room for argument, "Keeping such a human alive will definitely not do us any good."

That's a bit too absolute.

But undeniably, Belphegor the same thing.

It was not for any other reason than that Fang Li seemed to be hiding an extremely important mystery, which made even the Three Pillars of the court wary of him.

This is absolutely the first time in history that such fear has been felt towards a human being.

It's important to know that Hecate, Shudenan, and Belphegor are not ordinary Crimson Realm Denizens.

These three Demon Lord, known as the Three Pillars, are absolutely at the top in the Crimson World, both in terms of seniority and strength.

In fact, the names of the Three Pillars in ancient times were not the same as they are now.

In ancient times, the Three Pillars actually had other names.

Hecate was called Nuwa in ancient times.

Shudenan's name in ancient times was Chi You.

Belphegor known as the Queen Mother of the West in ancient times.

Just by looking at these three names, one can tell what kind of people the Three Pillars were.

However, the Crimson King, who was once widely revered in ancient times in the name of Nuwa, is now curled up on the bed like a little girl having a nightmare.

It's easy to imagine how astonishing this is.

"In any case, let's find a way to retrieve the Reiji Maigo first," Belphegor said. "No matter how terrifying that human is, we must Number One the Alliance Leader's life first."

"...I know." Shudenan scratched his head, finally calming down a bit, and said rather impatiently, "I'm leaving the Reiji Maigo matter to you. Things have become so complicated, that's not my area of expertise."

"I know," Belphegor gave the exact same answer, saying, "It is my duty."

After saying that, the two ancient Demon Lord turned their gazes back to Hecate.

As for Hecate, she was completely absorbed in her own world and didn't hear what Shudenan and Belphegor at all.

No, it should be said that they wouldn't listen.

At this moment, Hecate's mind was completely filled with one question.

"...Why?"

Recalling that ocean filled with death, Hecate spoke in a voice only she could hear to someone somewhere unknown.

"... How can you still live like that, when you're filled with such things?"

Hecate has always been praying, praying that her heart and body could be completely filled, and that she would no longer feel empty.

Otherwise, one cannot be considered truly alive.

Fang Li, on the other hand, is the complete opposite of Hecate.

Fang Li's heart and body are now filled with things that even Hecate could not bear.

However, being filled with such things, even if Hecate is devoid of emotion, she understands that that is definitely not living.

So, Hecate was truly lost.

"I am not alive if I cannot be filled."

"You are not truly alive even when you are filled to the brim."

"So, what exactly constitutes being alive?"

Am I even alive?

"Are you even alive?"

Why am I alive?

Why are you able to live?

"Why?"

These questions filled Hecate's heart.

Yes.

In this very moment, Hecate found herself filled and no longer empty.

However, if you have questions, you must find the answers.

I want to know the answer...

Thus, Hecate remained immersed in the dual experience of being alive and dead, tormented by both the questions that filled her heart and the thoughts of death that filled her mind.

I'm afraid it won't be able to recover anytime soon.

Shudenan and Belphegor, who were looking after Hecate, were also unaware of this.

The Starry Sky Palace is about to descend into chaos.

"Clang..."

The sound of chains echoed softly in this space.

In the temple, which seemed to be situated in the void, Fang Li was still bound by thick chains from stone pillars on all sides, his head bowed, as if he were asleep, his eyes closed.

A silent atmosphere permeated the surroundings.

At a certain moment, Fang Li, who had been keeping his head down, finally spoke in a low voice.

"It's about time..."

As he said this, Fang Li raised his head.

In its eyes, Ice-Blue Demon Eyes gradually appeared.