"...!"
When I heard Tesilid's name, all of my senses instantly focused on him. However, I wasn't the only one who reacted.
Those in line started to murmur, "Tesilid Argente? No way."
"I-isn't that the master of the holy sword?"
"The guy with the silver hair! That's him!"
Everyone immediately focused on the shape of Tesilid standing at the front of the line as the anxiety within me grew. Awful things always happened whenever Tesilid was the center of attention.
â
I was hoping I was behind Allie... But, of course, the world was always so heartless. It never once granted Tesilid any favors, not even the smallest, most desperate wish. Right now, there was a gigantic scale that weighed the degree of one's sins three steps in front of him, the calibration weight being a maid who killed 125 innocent people.
Tesilid recalled Ash's turn as he stepped toward the scale before him. He never much liked the young assassin, but he couldn't help feeling deeply empathetic toward him just now. No one could easily compete with the terrible weight of Lizenya Ellit's crimes because serial killers were the worst of the worst.
Yet, if the Scale of Sin tilted in his direction against someone that evil, if his colleagues witnessed this in real time, then how was he supposed to endure the horrible reality of everyone coming to learn of the true nature of his character.
Allie... Ailette Rodeline was standing somewhere in this long line, watching him intently. It was decided that Ash wasn't as terrible of a person as the maid, proving that he wasn't the worst of all humans, but Tesilid didn't have hope that he'd receive the same outcome. He'd destroyed the world beforeâin doing so, he had slaughtered an astronomical number of people. He knew that even just the tip of his finger placed upon the scale would instantly tilt the device in his direction.
"What are you doing, human? Hurry up and step onto the scale. I will not forgive you if I have to work overtime."
Ignoring Marchioness Levant, Tesilid raised his head and stared at the altar located at the highest point like a spire. "Inferinos, the Rule Enforcer," he said, his deep voice vibrating the air of the underground world. "I'd like to give a suggestion that is in line with the rules of this demonic realm territory."
"Is that so?" replied Inferinos, who broke out of her uninterested posture and sat up straight. Her nickname was the Rule Enforcerâshe couldn't help but feel intrigued by the mention of rules. "It's interesting how a lowly human is speaking as if he knows something. All right, then. Tell me."
Upon Inferinos' swift approval, Tesilid continued with a modest tone, yet the information his voice carried was shockingly arrogant, since he spoke as if he was the representative of all humans.
"Substitutionary atonement."
"..."
"I will take responsibility for the crimes of everyone here and atone for their sins."
Essentially, he was suggesting that he'd sacrifice himself for everyone else. As expected, there was one person who could not agree to this.
"Have you lost your mind, Tesilid?!"
It was Ailette Rodeline. There were times she had to step up regardless of the situation, and this was one of those times because it sounded like he was planning to die in this Loop and move onto the next one. The chains that connected her to the people in front of and behind her prevented her from stepping out of line, so Ailette stood bound between the citizens of the holy kingdom and glared at the judge, her eyes under her hood glistening with pure rage. This was enough to attract Inferinos' attention.
"You've got quite a glare for a human. Show your face."
A gush of wind blew in Ailette's direction at the flick of Inferinos' hand, which pushed her hood back and revealed her face. There was no way the citizens of the holy kingdom wouldn't recognize her distinctive pink hair.
"T-the Divine Emissary?"
"It's Her Eminence!"
"The religious order didn't abandon us after all!"
Unfortunately, she could not give them the total salvation they were desperately hoping for.
"The Divine Emissary, huh? I believe that's what the humans call the Executioner of Evil. I'm speaking to this silver stigma bearer right now, so wait your turn."
"...!"
The chains that connected Ailette to the people in front of and behind her snapped off, but this wasn't because Inferinos' wished to free her. In fact, Ailette's restraints had become more powerful, as she was forced to sit on a chair that emerged from the ground, her wrists bound to the armrests of the chair.
When Ailette used the Force of a Queen to free herself, new chains appeared and attempted to tighten around her. Her struggle for freedom was interrupted.
"Inferinos," said a deep voice that made Inferinos still. Her eyes landed on Tesilid, who added, "I would appreciate it if you could treat her with respect."
It was flabbergasting how a mere human's voice sounded as dignified as a Demon Lord with otherworldly powers.
"Fine."
Inferinos put her hand down, agreeable. As the Rule Enforcer, Inferinos not only like rules, but she also enjoyed respecting the boundaries of formality and custom.
Tesilid looked toward Ailette who was bound tightly to her chair. When his eyes reached across the distance and landed on her indifferent face, he almost let out a wistful sigh, but not because of how intense her gaze was. Seeing a hint of gold leaking into her peridot eyes, Tesilid remarked with a consoling tone, "Trust me, Allie."
The gold remained, her expression unconvinced.
"I can handle this situation," he said confidently.
After another moment, the Divine Advent that was about to activate subsided, but the look of distrust didn't disappear from her eyes.
"How?"
"Watch me," replied Tesilid, then looked up at Inferinos.
The gentle look he was wearing when talking to Ailette seconds before had vanishedânow, he was a handsome and clean-cut but cold man, who unflinchingly met the Demon Lord's eyes.
Fascinated by this display, she asked, "You're Tesilid Argente, is that right?"
"Yes."
"I'm impressed that you know about substitutionary atonement. However...." Inferinos' eyes narrowed as she added, "Your arrogance knows no end. How will you manage to take responsibility for the sins of all these people? Not even our exceptional serial killer here is evil enough to handle such a feat."
Lizenya Ellit was also giving Tesilid a mocking glare, when a smile that suited his holy face painted across his lips.
"I will not have an issue handling it."
He didn't need to waste any more time trying to explain, for a demonstration was always the most effective. The world had been a brutal place for him, and destroying it once after saving it more than ten times resulted in dozens of life sentences. He never fulfilled his sentences, which meant he was still a sinner. It was time for him to leverage the world's brutal treatment toward him.
Step.
Tesilid slowly stepped forward toward the Scale of Sin that was placed three steps in front of him.
I bet she's watching. Of the many gazes drilling into the back of his head, it was as if he could feel the one that belonged to Ailette. Just thinking about it made his heart ache, but he knew he couldn't stop. After all, this was something only he could doâit was something he was good at. He placed one foot on the gigantic plate of the scale.
Boom!
"Eeeek!"
The lightest touch forced the plate to slam forcefully into the ground. It was the murderous maid who had to suffer the consequences of this, for her body flung off of the scale on the opposite end.
"Ahhhh!"
While Lizenya Ellit groaned with pain after landing on her bum, Inferinos, watching from above, widened her eyes in shock. However, he wasn't done yet. Tesilid fully stepped onto the plate that was already flat against the ground, and...
Crunch!
Boom!
Rumble!
The ground where he stood continued to sink as if there was a different level of gravity, just in that location. A large crater at least a few dozen meters in radius from where he was standing was created, to which Marchioness Levant screamed in excitement.
"I can't believe it! How did I miss such a wonderfully evil person?!"
The other demon's eyes twinkled in awe as well. In contrast, the citizens of the holy kingdom behind him were completely aghast.
"Wh-what is going on?"
"What has the master of the holy sword done?"
A deep voice emerged from the noise, speaking above the murmuring as he remarked, "Are you satisfied?"
"You are truly an interesting person," Inferinos conceded.
"I think I have proven my point, so please explain the rules of the substitutionary atonement."
Even though Tesilid made his request in a flat, disinterested tone, Inferinos' eyes were filled with sadistic thrill.
"As I said before, the demon realm prioritizes occupations related to murder," she reminded him.
"So... how many?"
Tesilid narrowed his eyes at the ambiguous question, which prompted Inferinos to be more specific.
"How many did you kill, killer?"
"..."
The air froze as Tesilid's lips refused to move. Inferinos watched the human carefully as he remained silent, when she noticed a fierce glimmer as sharp as a blade appear in his once emotionless eyes.
Witnessing Tesilid's ocean-colored eyes shining ever-so coldly, Inferinos said, "I admire your eyes, enough to pull them out of your head and keep them for myself."
Inferinos smirked, for she had plenty of time to find out who this person was. In fact, she knew the perfect way to loosen his tongue, so she pretended to show mercy by withdrawing her question and raised her right hand to make an announcement.
"I will execute the substitutionary atonement. Tesilid Argente shall carry the burden of all sins in exchange for freeing all of the prisoners here."
"...!"
A wave of relief and elation washed over the faces of the people in the crowd, although their conscience stopped them from cheering aloud.
"Now, then..." Inferinos continued, "I must sentence you."
It was time for the sacrifice to receive his punishment.
"Prisoner Tesilid Argente."
The sentence was given while everyone held their breaths.
"Execution."