Endless Debt

Bologue paused for quite a while before he continued, "Just like the debtor longs to complete his soul, the devils also yearn for perfect wishes. I speculate that their act of soul harvesting is to please that extraterrestrial being."

At this moment, Bologue recalled a long, long time ago, perhaps when he was still a Condenser? Or a Prayer Believer? Bologue couldn’t quite remember, but he did clearly recall once having a conversation with Belphegor at the House of the Rising Sun.

During that conversation, Belphegor subtly guided Bologue, making him realize that the devils are slaves to power, with so-called "gods" beyond that power.

Slave master.

Bologue always thought that was Belphegor’s misleading sweet talk, but now it seemed that he was speaking the truth, just that he hadn’t grasped it back then.

"So they’re continuously harvesting souls, hoping that one day they can satisfy the extraterrestrial being’s desire, regain freedom, fulfill their wishes... Why doesn’t the extraterrestrial being act in person?" Mamo asked in return.

"Maybe it’s because the extraterrestrial being has died."

In Hill’s memory, he distinctly pointed out that the so-called extraterrestrial being is already dead, leaving only an unconscious force rampaging within the Ethereal Realm.

This is considered a rare piece of good news.

"Oh..."

After hearing this, Mamo gently nodded, then he looked at Bologue, his blurred gaze becoming clear, "Then what do you think..."

"Yes."

Bologue quickly responded, "We can completely consider the extraterrestrial being as a bigger devil, and Mammon, Beelzebub, Leviathan, all of them, are the extraterrestrial being’s debtors, and all their efforts, seemingly meeting their own desires, but actually, I guess it’s to resurrect him, resurrect that extraterrestrial being, the sinner exiled from the Otherworld."

Mamo’s heart pounded violently for a moment.

"Any devil capable of gathering enough souls to awaken the extraterrestrial being will receive the perfect wish."

Bologue’s voice was deep as he continued, "And this will involve my speculation on souls."

"Humans were originally soulless, it’s the intervention of Ether that brought forth souls, in other words, souls are a special product of Ether mixed with intelligent creatures. The extraterrestrial being brought Ether, he must have a means to exploit this precious resource, which also explains their connection."

This time, Mamo remained silent for quite some time, trying hard to piece together the story’s threads.

"In some unknown world, the extraterrestrial being was exiled as a sinner, gravely wounded and unable to live, precious yet unable to die, he was banished to this extraordinary forbidden desolate world, finding a way to survive at the brink of death.

The extraterrestrial being brought the Ethereal Realm toward this desolate world and distributed his remaining power among those eight people. The extraterrestrial may have died, but more likely exists in a critical state between life and death.

With his last strength, he led the Ethereal Realm to attract the Material Realm, spending hundreds of years transforming the Material Realm while also transforming the life within it, the devils run errands for him, harvesting souls sufficient to awaken him from death."

Mamo’s voice gradually grew unclear, like a blurry murmur from a dream.

"This is not a crisis that the Order Bureau can resolve independently," Bologue expressed his concern, "This will be a confrontation between worlds, we must unite everyone.

The devils cannot win, and the extraterrestrial being cannot be awakened."

This is no longer a war led by any force, but a conflict involving everyone, the Order Bureau cannot and does not have the ability to resolve it alone.

We must unite all the forces that can be united, and as for those that cannot be united, they need to be eliminated entirely before the situation worsens.

"We don’t have much time left," Bologue said, "Long before this, Secret Source had warned King Solomon."

The fragmented story links up completely, revealing a struggle spanning thousands of years before Mamo’s eyes.

"But King Solomon chose another path... a path that seems somewhat wrong," Bologue said calmly, "He built Raymond Gaudent, an almost unassailable fortress, hiding within it, leading countless Scholars in search of ways to defeat the devils.

But he ultimately died within this impregnable fortress, hunted down by hordes of demons."

Bologue shared his thoughts, "If the Order Bureau plans to tackle this crisis independently, it may follow King Solomon’s old path, so we need allies, whoever can stand together with us must be united, whether it’s the Order of All Secrets, People of the Tidal Waves, Order of Truth... even the King’s Shield Guard led by Overlord Xilin."

Mamo wasn’t swayed by Bologue’s crazy vision, he simply looked out the window and calmly spoke.

"Bologue, I see a world war.

Concerning the Rhine Alliance, Kagader Empire, Condensers and mortals, Ethereal Realm and Material Realm, a super war where no one can remain unscathed."

The atmosphere inside the room became particularly heavy, pressing down and nearly stifling everyone. Although successful promotion is something worth celebrating, Bologue felt like an Omen Bird, bringing tidings of calamity.

"How do you think the war should end?" Mamo asked again.

"Start by eradicating the devils’ forces within the Material Realm, eliminate the Scarlet Fungus Sect, Gray Trade Association, Rebellious Royal Court... kill all these bastards clean, and after that, we can consider advancing into the Ethereal Realm," Bologue glanced at Mamo, "Regarding this, we’ve already succeeded, haven’t we? I’ve fought in the Ethereal Realm, the extreme concentration of Ether provides us with a terrifying boost."