Chapter 202: Chapter 202

Given the office's importance, it was situated in the very heart of the building and thus had no windows. The flickering, yellow flame of a kerosene lamp cast a dim light across the room, illuminating Jenkins's puzzled expression.

Mr. Rodeney sighed. "This particular version of the book contains several previously unseen stories, and coincidentally, one of them happens to chronicle the tale of the ‘Twin Demons.’ Is it fate, or mere chance?"

He gave a wry smile and looked at Jenkins, who played along, feigning a look of confusion.

"Is it alright for you to be telling me all this?"

Jenkins asked, stroking Chocolate, who was now squinting at the old book on the table.

"It's fine," another man replied. "Your security clearance is sufficient. Besides, you've been involved in this matter from the start, so you're hardly an outsider."

Mr. Bellini picked up the thread of the conversation. "We traced the origins of this collection from the Augustus estate quite easily. About fifty years ago, the Viscount Augustus of that generation—the grandfather of the current one—bought them from an old bookstore. The purchase order was still tucked inside. Since the Augustus family is in the clear, our focus is now on that long-defunct bookstore. But after all this time... I doubt we'll ever uncover the manuscript's true origin."

Seeing no objection from the two gentlemen, Jenkins took the book and began to leaf through it. The cover had a terrible texture, like holding a husked corncob. The text was written in the modern common script, transcribed in a dark red ink... or perhaps blood. The pages felt smooth to the touch, like specially treated parchment, or some other kind of skin.

This book was likely a translation of a transcribed copy, and that copy was probably not a direct translation of the original either. After so many layers of interpretation and transcription, the contents could be read for a short while without causing any serious mental distress. Thıs text ıs hosted at nοvelfire.net

After reading the first few stories, Jenkins couldn't help but press his temples. The book possessed no supernatural power, yet the stories alone—their evil, nauseating, and utterly twisted narratives—were enough to cause severe unease.

"Page forty-four, Mr. Williams."

Mr. Bellini prompted kindly. Jenkins carefully counted the pages as he flipped backward, and sure enough, he found the short passage:

[The Twin Demons killed their older brother, through an unnatural relationship and... (illegible, blurred)... they ultimately succeeded in inheriting its power. Then, under the guidance of the great Third Sovereign, they returned to the magma hell... (illegible, blurred)... But the Demon of Fate did not die; this was all its plan. It hid within the twins' souls, waiting... (illegible)... The Sovereign resided on high, tasting the dregs of suffering souls, smiling at the comical scene... (illegible)... ancient legend... inheritance... pain... jealousy... an attempt to escape... the opportunity lies at the end of the 18th Epoch, where there exists a vacant position for a Savior... The Twin Demons grew in hell, while their lurking older brother was always ready to reap the two pigs he had personally raised. This was far faster than growing alone... (large section blurred)... Following the ancient ritual, the Twin Demons' soul emblems have nearly taken form. They need only return to the material world and personally... Ashiash is also coveting the Savior's position, attempting to seize it with the demonic arm of the (illegible) with whom he made a pact. The performance of the Twin Demons, the Demon of Fate, and the mortal Ashiash deeply pleased the great Third Sovereign—the King of Sins. Regardless of the final outcome, this great being has already derived sufficient amusement.]

The story ended there. It was so severely fragmented that it made very little logical sense.

"If we were to venture a guess from a mortal perspective..."

Seeing Jenkins had finished, Mr. Bellini tapped his own head. "This likely describes the two high-ranking demons who were destroyed by some unknown saint. That's my personal take, at least. They came to our world because of some prophecy or legend related to this epoch, and the Ashiash descendant who summoned them also knew and believed in it. After a series of unexpected events, all the contenders failed. The only ones who benefited were likely the New God and his followers. There's reason to believe they were also aware of that prophecy."

No, neither of me knew. Jenkins was certain of this. He then asked aloud:

"A Savior? Sir, is there really such a thing?"

"I'm no expert on the matter."

Mr. Bellini shrugged, casually picking up a nearby teacup and toying with it. "Perhaps our friends at the Church of Destiny and Order might know something. I recall Miss Audrey is still in the city; we could consult her. But I doubt it would yield any clues. The authenticity of this story is questionable enough on its own. Besides, the key parts are always blurred, almost as if it were done deliberately."

As he spoke, he leaned over and pointed to the location of phrases like "Third Sovereign" and "King of Sins."

Jenkins raised an eyebrow, fiddling with a button to mask his surprise.

Just like the previous versions of the devil stories, the authenticity of this tale was equally suspect. And yet, this epic saga—spanning epochs and even involving sovereigns—had now truly reached its conclusion.

And the reason for its conclusion was not some heroic finale orchestrated by a great adventurer, but simply because an unlucky transmigrator had been mistaken for an ordinary person, his disguise having been a little too convincing.

Perhaps this, too, was fate.

Mr. Bellini was still speaking. "That's our speculation for now, but it requires further confirmation. Sometimes, there isn't much difference between demons and humans. You just have to look at that man from the Ashiash family, or the recent swindlers who have left so many families in ruins. How does one describe it..."

He let out a breath and loosened the collar of his shirt. The room was, indeed, too hot.

"Hell is empty, and the demons are among us."

Jenkins finished the thought, only then realizing the first half of the saying wasn't quite appropriate.

Mr. Rodeney closed the book and shot Jenkins a curious glance. "Mr. Williams, the demons are indeed among us, but I fear hell is anything but quiet."