As I wandered around this world, I gathered that this realm, while distinct from the continent I came from, had remarkably similar political systems, cultural levels, and even these abilities.
Well, to be honest, I’ve only been to parts of this world based on Lilith’s memories.
Regardless, based on the information I’ve gathered so far, it seems this world, which appears to be where Lilith was born, is akin to the continent I know.
The only difference is the existence of an evil empire named the Labyrinthos Empire.
The reason it’s called an evil empire is not without cause. From the fragmented bits of information I’ve pieced together, it behaves similarly to the Aztec Empire from the Earth I once knew.
It’s almost as if the developers of the Deus Ex Machina used it as a reference while crafting their settings.
The Labyrinthos Empire is a mighty nation that has completely dominated this continent.
The place where Lilith, a child resembling Lilith’s youth, and her friend Erika live functions as a small kingdom under the Labyrinthos Empire.
Lilith and Erika are the daughters of the Baron Family in this kingdom.
Much like the Aztec Empire, the Labyrinthos Empire subjugates surrounding nations, turning them into vassal states and periodically abducts the children of the ruling class from each nation.
It’s probably a process to tame other countries.
However… the empire does not just hold the captives.
They sacrifice them to their god.
This heinous act is happening in a medieval fantasy world.
Naturally, the other nations have been furious and harboring hatred over such atrocities, but given the Labyrinthos Empire’s overwhelming military power, they’re unable to mount a proper rebellion.
As a result, each year, some of their children are chosen by lottery to be sent as sacrifices.
And this year…
When Lilith and Erika were coming of age, the selected sacrifice from this kingdom was… Lilith.
“…Huh? Lilith…Lilith is the ‘Harvest Festival’ protagonist? Wh-what does that mean?”
Shockingly, I didn’t learn about this through Lilith’s situation.
“E-Erika, did you get wind of this?”
“Th-that’s a lie. Som-something like that….”
Erika’s parents were conversing in the reception room.
Erika, who was about to knock on the door, accidentally overheard that conversation.
And this situation is exactly a memory of Lilith.
Lilith was not Lilith.
Erika was Lilith.
I was starting to get the idea.
Why Lilith changed her name to match Lilith’s.
Was this the reason Lilith became the God of Chaos?
It was an astonishing setting that hadn’t even appeared in the second part of Deus Ex Machina.
“Lilith…Lilith…Why…how could this happen?”
Erika sank into despair.
She too knew.
That those who become the protagonists of the ‘Harvest Festival’ will all die.
That their hearts would be taken and offered to the Labyrinthos God, Alburzoa.
“…No. This cannot happen. Absolutely not.”
With a determined face, Erika sprang to her feet.
And then…
“Sleep.”
Thud.
Erika lost consciousness, thanks to her father’s magic.
“I’m sorry, Erika. It’s all for your sake. I can’t let the Knights of Labyrinthos take you too. Really… I’m sorry, Erika. Please just sleep for a month.”
Her father murmured as he caught Erika’s collapsing body.
After a long time passed.
On a day when it rained from the sky.
Erika was seen laying flowers on someone’s grave.
“Lilith… the teardrops you loved have bloomed beautifully in the flowerbed.”
Erika’s shoulders began to tremble.
“If only… if only you could see it… Oh, if only you could see it…”
Tears welled up in Erika’s eyes.
“Oh. That day. You pushed me away with harsh words because it was all for me, wasn’t it? You thought I might learn the truth about you being taken. You wanted to make me hate you so that I wouldn’t try to stop it, didn’t you?”
Wiping her tears with one hand, she said.
“…I could never hate you for something like that. My dearest friend. My best buddy.”
Suddenly, the rain poured harder.
“It must have been scary for you. You must have wanted to escape. You must have begged for your life, cried out. And yet, you still pushed me away and made decisions just for me.”
The rain mixed with Erika’s tears.
“It hurt so much. Those guys… they hurt you…”
Was it her weeping or the raindrops covering her face? It became hard to tell.
“I’ll take revenge, no matter what. …On those monsters who hurt you. I’ll find every last one of them. And I will make them feel fear greater than what you faced.”
Erika’s face gradually turned expressionless.
“Everything is… for my Lilith.”
*
Afterward, a considerable amount of time passed with Erika, or rather Lilith, pouring her efforts into training magic.
Locked in her room, she repeatedly studied and trained in magic.
Honestly, I didn’t understand it well.
Erika was merely the daughter of the Baron Family in a small kingdom.
No matter how much she trained, could she really topple an empire or reach the status of a deity?
But Lilith managed it.
By herself.
With no one’s help.
With sheer willpower and a firm goal, she reached the level of a grand wizard.
At the mere age of 25.
“Not yet.”
Yet she felt unsatisfied, despite such an achievement.
“Not yet. Still not enough.”
Upon reaching the level of a grand wizard, she also realized something.
The power of the Labyrinthos Empire was absurd.
Even transcending the limits of humanity, it was impossible to confront it with individual strength.
For about five years, Lilith searched for a way to surpass those limits.
To find a means to contend with the Labyrinthos Empire.
And she discovered it.
The existence of ‘Chaos.’
“That essence that can instantly invade those without its power. An incompatible and dominating force. It grants tremendous power and transforms the host while dulling their reason from prolonged exposure.”
After learning about the essence of ‘Chaos’, she began her research.
“If I can accept this essence, I can surpass my limits. I could face countless wizards of the empire and even the grand wizards of the magic tower.”
Clink.
“But… my reason will vanish. I would become nothing more than a monster driven by destruction.”
Woahhhh!
A demonized monster rampaged inside her laboratory.
“If it allows me to take my revenge on Lilith, then I don’t care if I turn into a monster or cease to exist. But… can I really take revenge like that?”
Lilith underwent countless experiments.
And finally, she succeeded.
“With this… I have completed it.”
A way to wield the essence of ‘Chaos’ while maintaining her reason.
“All results from the experiments were perfect. All that remains is to inject it into myself.”
A serum created through numerous trial and error.
Lilith plunged a syringe into her body.
“Gaaaaah!”
She began to demonize.
Thud thud thud.
Massive wings sprouted from her back.
Crack.
Horns grew from her head.
She was a true monster. The term demon didn’t suffice to describe her appearance.
“With this, I’ve reached the final stage.”
With her newfound ability to control the essence of ‘Chaos’, Lilith did not immediately charge into the empire.
She started to nurture a legion of monsters through her essence.
She found numerous powerful beings craving strength and brought them under her dominion through the essence of ‘Chaos.’
Lilith completed the demon army, descending into the current world.
“Now, the time has come.”
With all preparations complete, she led her army and attacked the empire.
“Attack! It’s an invasion!”
“Notify the capital immediately… Aaaack!”
“P-please, just spare my life!”
KABOOM!
“They are weak. So very weak. They are no match for us, blessed by Lady Lilith.”
“Destroy the empire!”
The empire’s army was swept away like leaves in the wind by Lilith’s assembled forces.
“My queen, what shall we do with the prisoners?”
“Kill them all.”
“Yes. Everything is as the queen wishes!”
In the first assault, not a single survivor was left as Lilith murmured from her throne.
“The empire. The kingdom. All the captives taken by the empire. They ignored Lilith when she was captured. They turned a blind eye when Lilith needed help.”
Crack!
“I will wipe them all out.”
The armrest of her throne shattered in her grip.
“So just wait a little longer, Lilith.”
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