The Imbalanced Trinity
After some time, Higashino Makoto sat in the center of the golden light, his six pairs of wings folded behind him.
He looked down at his hands and remembered the game's description.
"After their fall, all the angels were transformed into black-winged beings and other hideous forms, except for Luci★Fer retained his radiant image."
Indeed, it is this pristine perfection that deserves the name "arrogance".
Although he looked quite handsome, his three-meter-tall frame made him feel a little uncomfortable.
He tried to change back, but it didn't work.
That's normal, since this item itself doesn't have the function of turning things back.
I tried using the Seed of the World Tree to change the race, but it didn't work.
The Pride Demon's form was like a shell, completely enveloping him.
All the magic spells that were originally part of the class's build are now unusable.
However, the Limit Breaker is unaffected, and the Small World can still be used.
Use "Heart of the Doppelganger".
This time it did take human form, but it wasn't the same as before with black hair and black eyes; it still had silver hair and golden eyes.
Moreover, only the appearance has been changed; the essence remains the same.
"Now he's truly a heinous demon."
He took out the communication crystal and infused it with magic.
The crystal lit up.
The rules of this space still repel everything from the outside world, but this quickly weakened after the death of the god, and communication magic can still be used normally.
"Shinano, can you hear me?"
"Grown ups."
Shinano's voice came from the crystal, carrying a rare hint of urgency.
"Novas Etier just experienced a violent magical fluctuation; the Creation Space suddenly contracted and then recovered. What happened on your end?"
"It's a long story. I'm safe here for now, but I can't go back yet."
"There's no going back?"
"I've become the Pride Demon. The Solomon's Key activated on its own, and I can't change back. The Demon of Pride Demon's Authority will continuously corrupt everything nearby, and I'm worried it will affect you."
He then gave her a detailed account of how he was suddenly pulled into another dimension by God, how the battle took place, and how the Solomon's Key suddenly activated on its own.
"Hmm, you guys should check the information and see if there's a way for me to change back."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the communication crystal.
Then came the sound of turning pages and Shinano giving instructions in a low voice.
"My lord, I have called a meeting with the guardians to analyze the situation. Please keep communication open."
"Knew."
Higashino Makoto leaned against a wall shrouded in golden light, with six pairs of wings spread out behind him like a giant blanket.
He looked up at the sky above, which was dyed golden, and waited.
About an hour later, Shinano's voice came from the crystal again.
"My lord, the guardians have reached a conclusion."
"Explain."
"The reason the Solomon's Key activated automatically is because you have collected all three items from the Bible series: the Solomon's Key, the Holy Grail, and the Bag of Sin."
Higashino Makoto's fingers paused for a moment.
He did indeed have all three props.
The Solomon's Key was always worn around his neck, and the Holy Grail and the Bag of Sin had just been used.
Explain yourself, I still don't understand.
"On a mystical level, they represent the three dimensions of body, mind, and spirit."
Shinano's voice became solemn, as if he were reading an important report.
"The Holy Grail represents the divine source, the intersection of divine grace, sacrifice, eternal life, and divine feminine energy; it is also a vessel for suffering and redemption. The obverse is the cup of salvation, representing God's blessing. The reverse is the cup of wrath, symbolizing God's Judgment."
"Coins represent earthly possessions, and in biblical parables, they symbolize an individual's value in the world, pointing to their material, physical form."
"The key represents an instrument of authority, symbolizing control that transcends the physical realm. Jesus gave Peter the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, signifying the authority to unlock salvation and govern the church. Extending from this are four key keys: the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, the keys of David, the keys of knowledge, and the keys to death and Hades."
Higashino Makoto rubbed his temples.
Speak like a human being.
"Simply put, the Holy Grail represents the heart, the Coin represents the body, and the Key represents the spirit; these three items resonated within you. Combined with your 'Trinity' skill, the simultaneous use of the Holy Grail and the Bag of Sin created a chain reaction."
"Then what?"
"And then you became the Pride Demon."
"I know I've changed, but I'm asking how to change back."
Shinano remained silent for a moment.
"The Guardians' analysis is that your current power is unbalanced. The part you originally possessed was one power, and the Pride Demon was another. These two powers are clashing within you, and the power of the Pride Demon has overwhelmed your own power, which is why you are stuck in this form."
"A third force needs to be introduced to restore balance to the body, mind, and spirit. Then you will be able to freely switch forms instead of being locked into a demonic form."
Higashino Makoto felt the scales beneath his skin.
"Where can we find this third power? Could the status of the One God that I pursued before be a suitable candidate?"
Shinano pondered for a moment before giving his answer.
"Based on speculation, the possibility is very high. Do we need to quickly advance the faith in the Demon Slayer World to expedite your acquisition of authority?"
"What consequences would it have if we sped things up...? Never mind, just tell me how long it will take?"
Shinano did not hesitate and quickly gave an answer.
"About fifteen years."
Upon hearing this, Higashino Makoto shook his head.
"Never mind then, are there any other methods?"
The voice still came from the other end of the communication magic, without any of the previous languidness.
"One of the Authority of the Pride Demon is 'Avici Hell,' which corresponds to the Authority of the Nine Luminaries World Devourer, 'Sea of Possibilities.' The two are on the same level. If you can connect to the Sea of Possibilities through Avici Hell and travel to other worlds, you might be able to find that power."
"Sea of Possibilities..."
I realized that this was why I came here, but I never expected to end up back here after all this time.
"Yes, but the Sea of Possibilities connects countless worlds, Nazarick is merely one tributary caught in its current. You can try to enter it actively, rather than being passively drawn in."
Higashino Makoto remained silent for a long time.
"It sounds like a trap."
"My lord, do you wish to choose the authority of the One God?"
Upon hearing this, Higashino Makoto thought about the fifteen years and shook his head.
It's taking too long. Anyway, I have enough power right now, so it's better to try going to New World.
"Forget it? I'll just jump."
Higashino Makoto sighed.
He stood up, eight pairs of wings unfolding behind him, the tips of the wings tracing fine black trails in the golden light.
How do I connect to the Sea of Possibilities?
"The Authority of the Avici Hell should be able to help you find the entrance. You are the Pride Demon; this is your domain."
Higashino Makoto closed his eyes.
He channeled his senses into his body, finding the power that already belonged to him.
The Authority of the Pride Demon flows like a black river deep within his soul.
He followed the river downstream, downstream, through the golden light, through the dark red Void, through countless dimensions he couldn't name.
Then he saw it.
A constantly changing sea, without a fixed color, like countless possibilities churning simultaneously.
The ocean has countless tributaries, each of which connects to at least one world.
He opened his eyes.
"Found it."
"Sir, are you sure you want to go?"
"Of course. Instead of just staying here and waiting, we might as well go out and try our luck. What if we find it?"
Please keep in touch.
"Okay, don't worry, I'm incredibly strong right now, so don't fret about my safety. By the way, the secretary rotation will be paused for now; we'll resume it when I get back."
"Yes, sir."
Higashino Makoto cut off the communication and put the crystal into his backpack.