A vast plain, devastated and filled with the scars of war. The mountains of corpses were a scene straight out of the apocalypse.
Clatter—Clatter—
"[For the eternal King of Death…]"
"[Gurgle—! Gurgle!]"
No, considering the fact that the corpses, which should have been motionless, were roaming the battlefield freely, even the word "apocalypse" wasn't enough to describe the scene. It was as if hell itself had manifested. A sight that would terrify any living being was unfolding before his eyes.
'It's ironic that I'm on their side.'
McCarthy, watching the scene from a relatively intact watchtower on the ruined castle walls, smiled wryly. Such a sentiment was amplified as he observed the battlefield with his 'dead man's eye' from this vantage point.
'…Did I unleash a disaster?'
The war that had decided the fate of this world was practically over. With even the Great Demons defeated, what could a few remaining demons do? It was obvious that those small fries would be dealt with the moment the countless legions of death spread throughout the world. And the future of the humans who had been struggling to survive under the demons' rule would inevitably be affected.
'I never dreamed it would turn out like this. Who knew it would be this bad?'
To be honest, he had been doubtful until the very last moment. That he would never be able to defeat his enemy, no matter what he did. It was only natural, as the Great Demons, especially the 'Infinite Great Demon,' were symbols of absolute invincibility in this world. He hadn't attacked Grand Lord Lapua while the Great Demon was away without reason. It was a desperate struggle to achieve his revenge, even if it meant mutual destruction, even if he lost the war.
'…Thinking about it now, it was just a foolish act.'
It was all thanks to the Undying King from another world, 'Hannibal Strauss.' The otherworldly invader who appeared with his legions of death and swept away the demons ruling the continent in an instant. As someone who thought he had summoned such a being, McCarthy couldn't help but feel a strange mix of emotions.
'I used to think that as long as I got my revenge, I didn't care what happened to this world.'
Was this what they called a change of heart? Now that he had achieved everything he wanted, he started to worry about the aftermath. He was worried that this world, where he had been with her, would become an even worse hell. That the peaceful world she so desperately wished for, the world filled with the smiles of the children she had protected, would be defiled by death. Of course, there was nothing he could do now, having already offered everything and become a slave.
'All I can do is leave it to heaven. Although I don't know how much I can trust the heavens that have already ruined this world once.'
…Or so he thought.
Until he heard what his 'master' had to say a little later.
"Huh? Me?"
McCarthy's eyes widened, and he stared blankly with his mouth agape. He hadn't anticipated those words from his master.
"[Hmm, why are you so surprised? Aren't you the contractor who summoned me to this world? It's only natural.]"
A grand hall, filled with an ominous aura. At the end of the absolute being's chilling gaze, sitting on a throne atop a high staircase and looking down. McCarthy, who had come to meet the king, swallowed hard, prostrating himself on the floor amidst the undead officers standing on both sides, emanating a chilling aura. Beads of sweat trickled down his forehead.
'…That's true, but still…'
It had only been a short while since he arrived at this suddenly appeared Demon King's castle, a dark palace that materialized atop a famous mountain. However, his current bewilderment far surpassed the shock he felt when he first saw this ominous castle.
"I… I'm just an ignorant fool who only knows how to wander. How can I, such a person, be the governor ruling this world in your stead?"
Normally, he would have simply nodded in agreement, but he couldn't do that this time. If he rashly accepted a position beyond his capabilities and something happened, how could he handle it? Moreover, this was a transitional period where the very foundation of the world was changing. He, who was well aware of his limitations, wasn't confident in leading this world through the inevitable chaos.
"[McCarthy.]"
"Yes, Master of Death."
"[This is an order.]"
"…I will gladly obey."
But he couldn't refuse the following command. Now that the order had been given, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and try his best.
"[There's no need to worry. I'll leave behind those who will assist you and handle the practical matters. Your role is simply to maintain balance as the representative of the humans in this world.]"
Naturally, Hans knew what he was thinking. He hadn't intended to leave everything to him in the first place. He was just worried that the undead, with their unique way of thinking, might run amok and ruin the world he had just obtained, so he wanted to set up a minimal safety net.
'I can't keep an eye on this world forever.'
He already had a lot to do. He had gained various things by defeating the demons of Deboir and obtained a considerable amount of information from the Infinite Great Demon. He had no more business in this world, having already collected a hefty amount of karma.
'I'll leave the rest to McCarthy. He's bound to me, his soul pledged.'
Every action McCarthy took in this world would become his karma. That was the nature of the contract they had made. In other words, McCarthy was practically his apostle in this Deboir.
"[Kekeke—Yes, come to think of it, you seem a bit lacking for a governor. It would be good to strengthen your forces a bit.]"
"I-It's alright, My King! In this world where demons have been eradicated, who would dare defy the Undead Army? There's no need for Your Majesty to trouble yourself!"
McCarthy hurriedly spoke, his face pale, perhaps recalling the pain of receiving the eye and arm transplants. He might have endured it for his revenge, but now that everything was over, he wasn't eager to experience more pain.
However, it wasn't enough to change Hans's mind.
"[No, that won't do. Authority comes from overwhelming power. I can't tolerate the one who rules this world in my stead being looked down upon for lacking power.]"
It was inevitable that wielding the 'power of the dead,' bestowed upon him by Hans, would cause immense pain to a human body, not to mention ordinary dark magic. It would have been simple to turn him into an undead, but he couldn't treat someone who had pledged loyalty to him like that.
Fortunately for McCarthy, Hans had just acquired an ability that would be of great help in this situation.
"[Don't worry. I've recently obtained a new power. Using that, the physical pain won't be as severe as last time.]"
"Ah, ah… It's an honor that you're so considerate!"
McCarthy, managing his expression with effort, prostrated himself again. He couldn't say anything more, since his lord had spoken. In fact, he was already in a precarious situation.
'Ugh, it feels like my body is being pierced with holes…'
The officers of the Undead Army, standing on both sides of the hall, were glaring at him with piercing eyes. They were only holding back because the King was speaking. Otherwise, he would have already been subjected to all sorts of horrors.
"[Kekeke, there's no need to delay things.]"
Therefore, he missed the opportunity to ask about the 'new power' that would be used on him, as he could only nod in agreement. He also didn't know that this demonstration was also a test, as it was an ability Hans was using for the first time. He could have at least prepared himself mentally if he had known beforehand, even though he had no choice.
After about a day…
"[Oh? The results aren't bad.]"
"…Thank… you…"
"[Hmm, it's a shame you didn't overcome the wall of transcendence, but… that should be enough for you to not be underestimated. Continue to strive for greater heights.]"
Hans nodded with satisfaction, having successfully completed the experiment thanks to McCarthy's willing participation. And as a reward, he offered McCarthy additional favor. He promised to visit him again someday and provide further treatment to help him completely overcome the wall.
"Ah, ah…"
McCarthy, his body trembling slightly, expressed his gratitude in a clumsy manner, having not spoken to anyone for a long time, and made a firm resolution. That he would overcome the wall before the King's next visit, no matter what it took.
"[Hahaha! That was quite entertaining.]"
And so, after dealing with the last demon on the surface and finishing all other preparations…
The Ruler of Death, who had suddenly appeared and brought about a great transformation in Deboir, departed without hesitation, crossing the dimensional wall. Leaving behind only his human apostle and a group of troops to assist him.
"…Sigh, is this the real beginning?"
Atop the ruins of the war-torn fortress…
McCarthy, staring blankly at the sun rising beyond the ridge, clenched his fists. A world crumbling beyond recovery. Rebuilding it was the task left to those who lived in this world. Although they had received help from an otherworldly absolute being in their liberation, they couldn't achieve their future by relying on others alone.
'Well, I wouldn't even be thinking about this if it weren't for his help.'
He glanced down at the plains below the ruined walls. A massive undead army. Most of them were former members of the demon army who had died in the great battle. Those who had been at the forefront of destroying the world were now being used to rebuild it.
'This wouldn't have been possible without him.'
A black light flashed in his left eye. At the same time, all the undead within his domain entered his field of vision. He was adept at wielding his power, having trained for decades in his own time.
Hum—
Then, his obsidian-like left hand reached out into the air. His fingers moved delicately like an orchestra conductor, stirring the space.
"[Kieeeeek—!]"
Clatter—Clank!
"[Move…!]"
At the same time, the undead lined up on the plain and the ghosts floating in the sky began to scatter in unison, roaring. Led by former demons, now officers of the undead.
"Now then… let's begin."
McCarthy turned around and looked up at the brightening sky, the rising sun at his back. And taking a deep breath, he vowed. That he would rebuild this world into the place she had dreamed of.
"—My own fight."
The liberator of humanity who led the world to independence from the demons' oppression. The rebuilder of civilization who restored the ruined world using the labor of the undead. The judge who punished the wicked who crossed the line, and the apostle of the God of Death—.
It was the beginning of the legend of Deboir's great saint, 'McCarthy Hans.'
'I can't disrespectfully utter His name.'
That belief led to the widespread dissemination of the 'Hans Religion' in Deboir, but that was a story for the distant future.
'Hmm, this is quite rewarding.'
Although his stay in Deboir was very short compared to other dimensions he had visited, the rewards were substantial. First, a massive amount of karma. He had focused solely on hunting demons, ignoring everything else, and the amount of karma he acquired far exceeded 10 million. It was the most profitable dimension so far in terms of time efficiency. Moreover, considering the achievement 「Liberator」 obtained after eliminating all the demons on the surface, the high-ranking demons as rare materials, and the massive army of undead resurrected with the accumulated 'death'… this Deboir expedition was a jackpot.
'It won't be as much as the other dimensions I'm managing directly, but I can expect some additional karma from McCarthy.'
He had assigned a few competent individuals, including a former attendant of Banshee Queen Olivia, to assist him, so there shouldn't be any problems in practical matters. The forces he left behind in Deboir were enough to easily establish a nation.
'And since Deboir's power level has been lowered due to the demons, someone at the peak of the Transcendental Realm won't die a sudden death.'
With no transcendent beings left, it was no exaggeration to say that McCarthy was the strongest in Deboir.
'He gained a useful ability.'
I nodded with satisfaction. The ability he had obtained in the process of defeating the Infinite Great Demon, which had played a significant role in raising McCarthy to his current level. This power would become a powerful weapon against the Lord of Heavenly Change, who could manipulate spacetime at will.
'And I can also apply it to training, like I did with McCarthy.'
Of course, there were still things to improve. He had the opportunity to correct problems in real time since McCarthy was subordinate to Hans, but he still lacked the proficiency to use it perfectly as he intended.
'Well, that's a matter of time.'
I shrugged lightly. Above all, Hans' otherworldly conquest wasn't over with Deboir. He had captured many transcendents belonging to the Heavenly Change Society, and there were still a few dimensions he could visit through them.