It all began three thousand years ago. It all began with my birth.
Before I heard my own cries, the screams filling this world reached my ears.
Horrible, I thought. Painful, I wept.
This world overflowed with screams. This planet was steeped in tragedy. My species—humanity—was ruled by sorrow.
If the source of that tragedy were human, that would be one thing.
We are imperfect. We are still evolving. No matter how many wounds we bear, no matter how much pain we endure, if it's truly the price for grasping something radiant, I could accept it. As a human, perhaps not—but as a king, I'd have to.
But if the source of tragedy isn't human—if it's gods, devils, or otherworldly beings—that's another matter entirely.
I've held the corpse of a child toyed with by devils.
I've stroked the head of a woman broken by fallen angels.
I've mourned the death of a warrior who failed a god's trial.
I've prayed before a village ravaged by the conflicts of otherworldly beings.
I was desperate. I was earnest. I was relentless.
I had to protect. I had to save. I had to lead. I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I!
If I don't do it, who will?
Why does no one else try?
Incompetent fools. Merciless kings.
"Please help us!"
"Devils are taking everything!"
"God won't save us!"
"Angels do nothing!"
"It's nothing but sorrow!"
"It's nothing but pain!"
"Why must we alone suffer like this?"
"Why are we alone in this hell?"
Thus, I was wished to become a god. Born a perfect king, I was seen as humanity's ultimate god. I myself believed I had no choice but to become one.
"Solomon, you alone should be our god!"
"If you become god, everything will surely be better!"
"We need no god but you!"
"Please rule this world!"
I devoted everything to humanity's future.
Even the gods wanted me—a new god, a new order. They thought it would let them dominate humans more efficiently.
I cast down my brothers and claimed the throne.
I married the Pharaoh's daughter, received the ring from the Lord, won over Belial, sent as my guardian angel, allied with Asmodeus, dispatched to monitor me by the devils, and formed a trustless pact with Beelzebub.
"I believed love should surpass the Lord. He denied it. So, I'll believe in your dream."
"I wanted to love humans, to be loved by them. But it was impossible. So, I'll entrust everything to your ideal."
"I want to surpass Lucifer. So, I'll indulge your delusion."
Then I met her.
"You're Solomon, right? The King of Men granted wisdom by God. I am XXXXX, from the kingdom of Sheba."
And I remade my eyes into Clairvoyance, capable of seeing other worlds.
But I came to know.
The brilliance of other worlds.
The ugliness of this one.
Oh, my world is ugly.
I looked at other worlds not to compare their value but to seek methods.
Yet, my Clairvoyance, peering into other worlds, denied my convictions. The humans of this world were worth less than any I saw.
At the same time, it affirmed my belief—proving humanity's infinite potential.
I saw countless worlds. I learned of countless hopes.
Not just a Holy Grail quest where an ordinary boy and girl save the world from a beast that burns it.
A boy following his surging emotions, moving forward earnestly. Someone striving to surpass their limits and their comrades' deaths for the future. Brothers facing their bloodline's fate. A girl defying causality to end tragedy. A reversal where the powerless toppled the absolute. A miracle where hearts, not battles, overcame malice and enmity. Bonds too sacred for words. A chain of entrusting the past and wishing for the future.
To live, to survive, to protect, to preserve, for those they love, for those who love them.
Humans are hopelessly radiant.
We want to be like them—we can be like them—we must surpass them.
Amid the brilliance of other worlds, I saw a possibility in this one. I concluded it must not come to pass. I decided to avoid that future.
The woman I loved most betrayed me, so I resolved to remake Truth.
I originally intended to become a god. But the curse my beloved queen placed on Truth blocked that path.
So, I chose another method.
I chose to believe in humanity. I believed that what they'd build over millennia would fulfill my ideal, and I restructured Truth.
Finally, when I incurred God's wrath and was fed into the System, it was complete. Interfering with the System from the perfect alibi of a corpse was all it took.
I received Lucifer's cells from Rizevim. I obtained Samael's soul. Unlike the parallel world, Truth remains intact at this stage. Resources and mechanisms are perfect. I hold the System's reins.
I secured the energy. Half of the vast energy of human history and mythology collected by Truth. The pure essence of goodness, paired with the mud I prepared as insurance. Fifteen hundred years' worth of energy. Creating a god would require three times that. But I only need to seize a god's throne, to pour my soul into an existing divine mold. A millennium's energy suffices.
And I will bear the original sin of Truth.
By surpassing the corpse of the worst god, true human history will dawn.
—Solomon.
You've finally appeared, Lord.
But alas, you've already lost to me. For this, Beast D/L was necessary. Its defeat made you doubt your absoluteness. Truth is absolute reason. Your absoluteness warped within you.
No amount of angelic betrayal, devilish rebellion, or atrocities by other mythologies' gods and demons could do it—you cared too little for them. Even when those you called your masterpieces, like me or Moses, left you, you blamed other humans or beings.
To shake your confidence, a beast you expected was needed. You had hopes for that beast. I saw such a parallel world.
If a Beast could be born from mud, anyone would do. But if that filthy devil were the sacrifice, it'd be perfect. Such a vile creature as the cornerstone of my great work. The brilliance of humanity, discarded by that man, would be proven. I deserve gratitude, not resentment.
In a world where my plan failed from start to finish, that man sparked a war involving the Beast of Revelation, the Evil Dragon, and the Morning Star's Satan. He was the cause of the outer evil god Melvazoa's invasion. Yet no one blames him. No one makes him atone. No one punishes him. Why?
The lives and peace stolen by Trihexa, Apophis, Azi Dahaka, Rizevim Livan Lucifer, and Melvazoa—all caused by that man, Issei Hyoudou, as if he killed them himself.
I absolutely refuse to accept such an unpleasant world.
That's what these three thousand years were for. To prove that future wrong, to declare that end ugly—my and humanity's three thousand years.
—Yes, I placed my hopes in that beast… no, in Issei Hyoudou. Because they were shattered, you'll take my original sin. You can take it. I understand. I accept. I was wrong about something, though I don't know what.
Of course. That's the kind of being you are.
That's why I made you bear Truth's original sin. As half of the Beast of Expectation, I'm here to nurture humanity and seize it today.
—But, Solomon, you're the same. What, you ask? Hard to say, but you're wrong about something too. Just as Samael, the Queen of Sheba, and I had our plans disrupted.
My beloved queen? True, I don't know what she was thinking. But—
"Get out of the way, useless fool."
I no longer need you. I've finally claimed the heavenly throne.
Now everything is rewarded. Now everything can begin.
—Solomon, I was wrong.
—But you might be wrong too.
No way.
Because humanity brought me here.
Now, I'll take humanity there—to the absolute, supreme pinnacle.
"By the way, Gabriel, there's one mystery."
Artoria the Lion King asks the last Seraph.
"Why did the Queen of Sheba betray Solomon?"
"Huh?"
"What?"
Gabriel, assuming it was obvious, gives a wry smile.
"The Queen of Sheba didn't want Solomon to become a god. Whether from the start or later, I don't know. But as a woman, not a queen, she couldn't bear her beloved becoming a sacrifice for human history. That's all."
"I see."
Such an ordinary emotion. Such a common motive.
Who'd think the madness that shook the world stemmed from stopping a loved one from willingly becoming a sacrifice?
It's always love, not malice, that saves or destroys the world.
So—
"—That's a truth I didn't want to hear."
The man who should've received that love burns with deeper rage.
"…What…?"
"Impossible."
They know that voice.
If it were the God of the Bible, they wouldn't be so shocked. But why your voice? Why a voice other than God's from the System? Could this be the true nature of your ideal—?!
The System, which shouldn't activate, starts. With distorted sounds and immense light, it rampages as if dragging in unmoving mechanisms.
"No—no way! There's no mechanism or energy for this!"
"That's a mistake. That's why I awaken here."
"Multiply on the earth, build cities, cross seas, split the skies. For what… Rhongomyniad, speak of the end!"
The pillar of light, the anchor of storms, binds the world's surface.
"Rhongomyniad: The Spear That Shines to the Ends of the World!"
A holy lance that reaches the divine realm. With the Red Dragon Emperor's power to double, she could recreate a blow near the creation of heaven and earth, as when she pierced Agreas.
Yet, the aurora remains intact.
"Useless. A spear that merely binds the star can't reach me. I'm not that useless fool defeated by the Two Heavenly Dragons."
As the light fades, a beast in human form stands there.
"Haha."
Horns symbolizing sin on its head.
"Hahahahahaha."
A face with a smile steeped in rage.
"Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!"
The king who descended to godhood roars with laughter.
"It's time for applause, humanity. Take pride. You are nobler than any life. You created even a god—me, the absolute, supreme god. So, you should be able to defeat me. That will fulfill my plan. Spend the past, present, and future of human history to come and destroy me! Then you'll surely defeat me!"
This god decreed it. This beast ordained it.
Thus, this beast's ideology is truth. This beast's ideal is reality.
This is the worst Evil of Humanity.
With his second coming, his class is decided.
"This star will be completed."
The throne of the One God is a false seat.
"All truths have fallen into my hands."
The catastrophe, misidentified by humans, that led to the greatest disaster in human history.
"Praise me."
Its name is Beast X. The beast bearing the reason of Truth.
"My name is Solomon—"
The absolute reason that everyone clings to for salvation, the wicked king who trampled and debased all.
"—Human Order Denial Formula: One God Solomon!"
That is Solomon's true bestial nature.
"Impeachment from Zepar. This defeat—"
"Silence, Zepar!"
"We haven't lost yet."
"Time remains."
"Means remain."
"Victory remains."
"The path to our pinnacle isn't closed."
"That's why you're Zepar."
"Zepa-something, pfft!"
"Pfft!"
"Pfft!"
"Pfft!!"
"Why not change your name to Zepa-whatever?"
"I'm about to cry! Seriously cry! You okay with that? A magical formula transcending human intellect bawling shamelessly?"
"Only we and Ophis are here."
"The Hero Faction and others are all out."
"Cry if you want."
"No, if Zepar ceases to be a Demon God Pillar, problem solved."
"Let Ophis take over."
"Former Zepar, prepare for handover and submit your resignation."
"The 72 Pillars isn't that kind of system!?"
"I'll do my best. Yay!"
"Wait, Ophis, don't celebrate! I can't say no…!"
"Confirmation from Saleos. Does the current situation match predicted patterns?"
"Response from Malphas. It does. The eighth-worst pattern assumed. Of course, that's disregarding the process."
"Question from Murmur. Are countermeasures prepared?"
"Reply from Vapula. It's manageable."
"Supplement from Furfur. Strategy 218 applies."
"Notice from Halphas. This strategy allows no failure. Execution requires unanimous consent. Consider alternatives."
"Denial from Gremory. No other strategy can stop Solomon or save this world."
"Evaluation from Agares. If it's Solomon, not the God of the Bible, the success rate rises significantly."
"Calculation from Andrealphus. Sevenfold, precisely."
"Question from Gusion. What's the best and worst outcome of this strategy?"
"Answer from Shax. Best case: twelve. Worst case: zero."
"Joy from Amdusias. Quite an optimistic assumption."
"Agreement from Kimaris. No reason to halt this strategy."
"Baal."
"You're not telling me to flee from anyone but that ordinary man, are you?"
"—Andras."
"This battle is not to die, but to survive."
"—Phenex."
"My heart's desire."
"—Raum."
"For the proof of my proposition."
"—Flauros."
"Words are no longer needed."
"Report from Barbatos. Unanimous consent of the 72 Pillars confirmed."
"…"
"..."
"...…"
"Let us go—to our pinnacle."
Second Retrograde Canal / Genesis Light-Year Biblical Revision shifts to its final phase.
Note:
We saw many joys.
We saw many brilliances.
We saw many hopes.
Even if Solomon felt nothing,
We found light in this world.
"Do you feel nothing? What dissatisfaction do you have with this future?"
"This world has no value. Stagnation at this level is unacceptable. This evolution cannot end."
"Not yet. More."
"We must advance further."
"We must prove this world's humanity is the greatest!"
"Even if—it leads to our destruction!"
No such ideal should exist.
No such craving should be allowed.
We understood.
We resolved.
Apologies to all the pasts we couldn't reach.
Gratitude to all the futures that took our hands.
Blessings to all life. This intelligence is no longer needed.
Next time: Solomon's 72 Pillars
This time, we will reach the pinnacle.
***
If you enjoyed this story, don't forget to drop 5 stars and your power stone. And if you want to read more than 70 chapters in advance, feel free to visit: pat reon . com / KangTL