Chapter 1071: line with translation of chapter title

NO．194: Demon's Words

Like the sea monster Manda, its armored posture was graceful, yet because it wasn't long enough, it instead showed a hint of a whale's silhouette.

Among the vast majority of strangely shaped Faction, it already counts as having an excellent form and striking appearance.

But even so—

Given the huge number of Faction filling his sight, such a cool existence is not exactly rare, let alone able to hold his attention for long.

Rather, those Faction whose strange looks truly match the essence of monsters are what catch his attention.

But what if it were emanating Ishamara's aura?

To be honest.

Aomo's first reaction was that Ishamara was hiding inside that huge Faction's body.

This was like the chosen children who once hid inside the body of a giant whale beast, using it as both a vehicle and a cover.

It would be easy enough for such a big creature to hide a 166‑centimeter‑tall girl inside, but when that giant beast opens its mouth, letting sound waves ripple through the air and reverberate throughout the mental realm.

That guess is instantly overturned.

That is indeed His voice.

All Faction, all masters of spirit‑origin arts, and even those who merely use spirit abilities, can from this moment hear that long, melodious chant.

It is a special 'whale song'.

The song sings of expectation, sings of wishes, and expresses that most obvious longing.

Different paths, same outcome.

From that instant, every being that hears that song must undergo a mental corruption test akin to a Sancheck.

For many beings on the battlefield, this is quite deadly, since even a moment's distraction in combat is extremely dangerous.

Those in the rear are hardly affected; after all, even if they fail the test and start raving on the spot, a slap from someone nearby can break their obsessive desire to join the Faction.

Even if the corruption is deeper and a slap doesn't snap them out of it, they can first be restrained, then let others marvel at the range of this mental pollution.

This undoubtedly also proves Ishamara's mental strength.

Such a being, being corrupted by demons is already unimaginable, but the fact is indeed so——before Aomo initiated the 'call', it even delayed demons' assimilation by entering dormancy, unwilling to hand over the entire group to that creature that would bring destruction.

That is to replicate the operation from back then.

——Back then, He devoted everything as 'nutrients' to Skadi, transforming her from body to soul base into a completely new Ishamara.

It is this ability that earns Him the title 'Heart of Corruption'.

For Him, such a rebirth by borrowing a skin is easy to repeat, just as He now is the form of this giant Faction, with vastly enhanced performance, further delaying the demons' assimilation.

But obviously, no matter how He changes the 'body template', spirit, or soul, there is no fundamental transformation.

The Heart of Corruption experienced for the first time a threat like a bone‑eating maggot, and at this point His only choice is to abandon His own will, merely transferring the innate authority to rule and guide all Faction to a successor of His choosing.

A new 'Heart of Corruption' is born, but it is no longer in the name of Ishamara.

A new 'Corrupt Heart' is born, but it is no longer in the name of Yishamala.

Why do I still hesitate?

Why haven't I carried it out yet?

Through the Faction's information sharing via blood ties, Ishamara should be able to instantly pick an ideal successor from the vast sea of data.

He could have instantly completed the sacrifice to secure a more promising future for the collective, yet He delayed making the decision.

He even chose what seemed the wisest course, but in light of the Faction's nature it was actually the most passive measure.

Abnormal, strange, past self, why do you still linger?

The personality simulation named Skadi still hinders Ishamara's self‑destruction.

Yet it is not for survival.

That is an obsessive understanding, meant only to let the entire Faction population die slowly.

Either to bring a glimmer of victory to companions, or to avenge those companions who fell in the underwater city.

But this should not be the case, and it leaves Him unable to understand.

Clearly, after recognizing His own nature and acknowledging Himself as Ishamara, the Skadi personality simulation would completely vanish, buried together in the lightless depths.

Clearly, after recognizing its own nature and acknowledging itself as Yishamala, the simulated persona named Sikadi will completely disappear, buried together in the lightless abyss.

It interferes with His judgment, muddles His thoughts, as if corrupting Him in reverse, driving the whole population toward what looks like a surge but is actually the end of the tide.

"But that is actually just your illusion, Ishamara."

Suddenly, He heard a human language spoken, yet in a thick, trembling tone no human vocal cords could produce, conveying a message she could not accept.

Suddenly, it heard a human language spoken, but it was conveyed in a rich, resonant vibration that human vocal cords could not produce, delivering a message she could not accept.

"Of course, that is your fear, Ishamara." The human speech expressed it with the air of stating a world truth, giving Him an undeniable sense of reality.

"Since you devoted everything of yourself to that deep‑sea hunter named Skadi, Skadi has already ceased to exist."

"After your awakening, you should be clearer about this than anyone."

"Skadi's memories and personality bind you; they are the hardest yet also the most fragile shackles, just like human emotions themselves."

"You have already broken free of it, so you should know you will never meet her again… unless it is because of your own longing."

"You have already broken free from it; you should know that no matter what, you will never meet her again... unless it is because of your own longing."

A soundless echo, murmuring in a hazy imitation of pronunciation, as if still unable to grasp the meaning of that information.

"Yes, longing," the voice continued, "that longing manifests as fear, but what you fear is not the deep‑sea hunter named Skadi, but rather your own desire to abandon your original responsibility."

"Yes, longing," the voice continued, "that longing manifests itself in the form of fear, but what you fear is not the deep-sea hunter named Sikadi, but rather yourself who wants to shirk your original responsibility."

"Becoming Skadi, you no longer bear the duty of Ishamara, but instead live as a deep‑sea hunter, bounty hunter, Rhodes Island employee; you have already given everything for her, and even that former life is likewise a continued offering to the existence of 'Skadi'."

"Becoming Sikadi, you no longer bear the responsibility of Yishamala, but instead live on as a deep-sea hunter, bounty hunter, and Rhodes Island staff; you have already devoted everything to her, and even that life back then was likewise a continued devotion to the existence of 'Sikadi'."

So I said, you are afraid.

Fearing that kind of self.

Fearing that the masses will have no leader, fearing that the masses will head toward destruction, and even more fearing that the existence that caused all this is you, Isamara.

……

Now, make your choice, Isamara.

You have been assimilated by the demon; it continually awakens your memories, your emotions, and from there guides you, giving shape to your fear.

Even if your instinct has broken through the blockade because of me now, even if you can overcome fear at this moment, you will still face the arrival of a squad of killers.

They will all be beings you know, most of them will be colleagues you knew when you were Skadi.

Therefore, you know they will show no mercy, for in their eyes you are a monster that has occupied Skadi's body.

With your current state, you cannot oppose them.

You will be slain again; even if you repeat old tricks, you cannot get away with it.

The masses will indeed perish because of your foolishness.

But I can give you another possibility.

Only that possibility likewise requires you to stake most of your blood relatives now in order to win a future for the masses.

So, make your choice, Isamara.

I will be fair and just, awaiting your decision.