Published at 26th of December 2025 7:42 am

Chapter 518: Whether It Was Discarded or Picked Up, This Outcome Would Be Reversed

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Grr Because I foolishly spared a defective failure, the discarded outcast ended up leaking information to youI understand that much. But that still doesnt explain how that woman was brought back to life.

Alright, alright. Ill get to it in due time. Just be patient.

As Lukas disembodied head ground its metaphorical teeth in frustration, I let out a sigh and resumed speaking.

Even though they were fundamentally the same being, Luka couldnt understandor perhaps refused to understand. Regardless, no matter how carefully I explained, the result would remain the same.

Thanks to Junior, I knew in advance that you were planning to target me and in particular, Tia. Knowing that, coming up with countermeasures was just common sense. Thats why I prepared for the possibility of you killing Tia.

Judging from the battles wed had in previous worlds, it was clear that if Luka and I ever fought seriously, Id be at a severe disadvantage in a direct confrontation.

However, as long as Tia was by my side, I was confident I could protect her, no matter what kind of tricks Luka pulled. The most troublesome scenario wouldve been if Tia were abducted and taken to another worldsomewhere beyond my reach. But there was no need to share that detail with Luka.

So, Luka. What do you think death means for humans?

Whats this all of a sudden? Ha! For you to ask me, an Apostle of God, about the nature of deathits an insult of the highest order

Just answer the question. What, in your view, does human death mean?

Death is when the vessel of flesh is no longer capable of containing the soul.

Lukas headstill severed but exuding its typical arroganceanswered after I interrupted his theatrics. Despite his petulance, I nodded in agreement.

Exactly. Whether its due to physical damage, illness, or old age, when the body can no longer contain the soul, the soul breaks free. Thats what we call death. But why is it that resurrecting the dead is considered impossible?

That goes without saying. The soul is a noble, exalted thing, far beyond the capacity of lowly beings like you to handle.

Well, youre not wrong about that. As for the bodyits actually pretty easy to do something about it. If you catch it right after death, healing potions or magic might suffice. You can even regrow a new body from tissue fragments, or stitch working parts together to make a functional whole. I dont know the details, but apparently, there are plenty of ways to piece together a body.

So, heres the simple solution: from the very beginning, you secure the persons consciousnessor soulin a safe location. If the soul isnt there to leave, then the bodys death doesnt matter. After restoring the body to full working condition, you return the soul, and voilatheyre back to life.

Ridiculous! How could any human possibly store another persons soul in a separate place?! And that woman she certainly acted with the will and soul of a human!

Youre right. But I had the means to make it possible.

How?!

Luka My junior Luka, that is.

To Lukas enraged shouting, I calmly gave my answer.

After losing its personality, Junior Luka became nothing more than a Fragment of God within me. And a Fragment of God is more than sufficient to stand in for a human soul.

Of course, just having the Fragment wasnt enough. While it would prevent death, it wouldnt allow the body to move or function as if alive. Thats where I came in.

I combined my power with Lukathe Fragment of God.

Finally able to move my hand, I rested it on my chest.

I used the dormant abilities of the Demon Kingspecifically, [The Last Chance] a function derived from the Demon King [Hollow Hologram] skill. By fusing that with my upgraded [Copy and Fake], I created a superficial replica of a soula pseudo-soul.

This pseudo-soul was just enough to mimic life, though it lacked the depth of a true soul.

I kept that pseudo-soul within me, always ready. When Tia and I had to separate, I transferred her actual soul into myself using a special ability. Then I implanted the pseudo-soul into Tia as a stand-in. In other words, every conversation you and I had was overheard by Tia. When you controlled her and I struck her down, it was the false soul inside her body. The real Tia, meanwhile, was safely inside me, witnessing everything.

By using Tias [Engage Heart] ability to protect her soul and combining it with the resurrection method Id learned from Lukas Fragment, I had ensured Tias perfect revival.

Even so, testing the method or attempting it without certainty would have been reckless. It was a gamble that required immense resolve on my part

You know, watching my own neck get severed was a very strange experience, Tia said playfully, brushing her fingers through my hair as I sat resting against her lap.

Heh

Her mischievous tone drew a wry laugh from me. Ironically, it was Tia herself who had given me the final push to act. From within me, her soul had reassured me, whispering, Its okayjust do it! That encouragement allowed me to swing the sword without hesitation.

Even if the worst-case scenario had occurred, as long as Tias soul remained intact within me, I knew she could regenerate in the. That was what gave me the courage to go through with it.

Tias strength and determination truly amazed me.

And thanks to her courage, we outwitted Luka and achieved victory.

That Thats impossible!

Heh. Surprised, huh? By the way, the reason this insane plan worked was because of Junior Luka. When he created my world, he turned Tia into a Demon King. Without that support, I wouldnt have been able to imbue her with my power.

Grrr That traitor again! Curse him! Curse him! If only I had eliminated him sooner! No I never shouldve accepted him in the first place! My foolish leniency has allowed a single blemish to irreparably stain our pure sanctity!

Think whatever you want. The fact is, I outmaneuvered you and emerged victorious. Fighting you directly was never an option, and even if I cornered you, you wouldve fled. The only way to win was to trick you into thinking you had absolute control and then strike. From my perspective, it was a crappy situation, too.

This time, I shrugged nonchalantly. Testing my strength, I slowly rose to my feet.

Ed, are you okay now?

Yeah, more or less. By the way, the reason I didnt die from that suicidal move was because I reclaimed the Fragment of God that had been inside Tia. I knew youd try sealing my powers, so I planned how to turn that against you. Rest assuredwhat you discarded, Ill continue to use well.

I patted my chest with a smirk, feeling the faint power still stirring within me. While I could completely absorb it if I wanted to, I decided to keep it as it wasfor now.

F-fine Ill concede defeat for today. But next time

Next time? What are you talking about? There is no next time for you.

As Lukas severed head erupted into a sneering laugh, I looked down at him with calm disdain. His confidence didnt falter.

What are you saying, fool? Sure, the [Final Encore] didnt activate this time. But youa mere Demon Kingcouldnt possibly wield true eternity! This vessel will burn out, and then, I will begin anew! Fear that day, foolish Demon King who dares defy God!

Yeah sure. Whatever you say. Best of luck. So, wheres the exit over there?

Ignoring Lukas ranting, I turned my back on him and walked toward the glowing white light that had appeared behind us.

As I walked alongside Tia, she glanced back at the still-raging severed head and spoke.

Are you sure, Ed? Is it okay to leave him ike that?

Its fine. Theres nothing else we can do.

It was true that the power I used to ensure he wouldnt end hadnt completely stopped his eventual decay. Sure, Id made a big show of calling it eternal, but in reality, he was slowly inching toward his end.

However, the timeline for thatthousands, maybe tens of thousands of yearswas irrelevant to me. From Gods perspective, it might be barely a blink of an eye, but for me? It was so far off that I couldnt care less. That was a problem for the distant future, one I could address when it came.

More importantly, Tia. How are you feeling?

Im fine. But I cant say Id want to go through that again.

Yeah, Im with you on that.

I didnt even want to imagine what might have happened if Junior Luka hadnt shown up and Lukas plan had succeeded.

Losing Tia what Id become after that it was a terrifying thought.

But that future will never come. Thanks to Junior Luka, we managed to emerge from this ordeal together.

Thank you.

Placing her hand gently on my chest, Tia spoke, addressing someone other than me.

Her words, warm and radiant, resonated deep within me.

Somewhere in my heart, I felt as if a small part of meor rather, someone within mehad responded with a quiet, knowing smile.

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