Having traversed countless realms, can you possibly be as clever as me?

"Or rather, at least I haven't completely become his son."

The next moment, insects crawled out of that empty face.

It is no longer a metaphor or illusion, but a real, winged, six-legged insect.

When the first creature squeezed its body out of the crevice, its wings still clung to a viscous sheen, trembling and unfolding in the stillness of space and time. Then came the second, the third, and countless others, no longer flying out but flowing, like the first gushing of black water when a dam breaks, silent and resolute.

They hover, converge, and weave, as if drawn by an invisible spindle, and countless flies begin to gather into an outline.

First came the neck. Long, fair, and seemingly growing out of nothingness. Then came the shoulders. Rounded and upright, with delicate, porcelain-like collarbones.

Fabric climbs onto the body—a deep red women's suit, as red as blood, with a deep neckline, a cinched waist, and a thick, flowing fabric, the edges embroidered with fly-wing-like patterns in dark gold thread.

Then there's her face: a pointed chin, well-defined lips, and a straight nose. Her eyebrows are like distant mountains, and her eyelashes are fine and dense, making her exceptionally beautiful.

With his white hair and scarlet eyes, he does look quite like Lucifer.

"Do you like this appearance?" The Faceless Man, no, Beelzebub, chuckled softly.

But Tsurugi had the expression of an old man using his phone on the subway, and even kept several steps away from Bessou.

The stuff those flies were covered in, was it poop?

Perhaps it was Tsurugi's expression, or perhaps she read Tsurugi's thoughts, but she showed displeasure, only to quickly regain her composure and say calmly...

"So it seems you know about my background?"

I know, of course I know.

Asmodeus had spoken to Tsurugi about Beelzebub more than once.

If Leviathan is a complete outsider among the seven deadly sins, then Beelzebub is an absolute anomaly.

Deep within the seven layers of hell lies the court of the seven-headed serpent, whose original leaders were naturally the seven demon kings. Of course, they had long since stopped playing such pointless political games.

But if we had to divide Hell into a political spectrum, Asmodeus would belong to the group of fallen angels who hang out with Mammon and Samael all the time, while Lucifer would be an arrogant guy who doesn't care about anyone and doesn't want to play with anyone, Leviathan would be out of the loop, and Beelzebub would be on very good terms with Belial.

To be fair, Belial was also a fallen angel, perhaps even the first. But similarly, his other identity was the biggest factor in his association with Beelzebub.

If we trace the origins of human mythology, both Belial and Beelzebub are inextricably linked to one name—Baal.

This name refers to the Canaanite god of the sun, thunder, rain, fertility, and resurrection, who was the head of all gods, and the word itself means 'Lord'.

Belial once used the alias Baal-Peor, meaning "Master of Mount Figo." After adopting this name, he lured the Moabites into worshipping him through religious feasts, which ultimately led to Jehovah punishing the Jews with a plague, while also showering Belial with affection.

Beelzebub was even more straightforward—he was Baal.

In Hell, Baal is the chief of the seventy-two demons and also Beelzebub, so his rank is permanent in the Hydra's court.

After all, he was the one who stirred up this political structure, and most of the demons in Hell were Beelzebub's men.

Yes, if we're talking about the classification of demons in hell, they can basically be divided into fallen angels, primordial demons, and sinner demons. Primordial demons, which are most of the seventy-two demons, fall under Beelzebub's control.

After all, most of the seventy-two demons were gods from different mythologies who were banished as demons, while Baal was both the chief god of the Canaanites and the sun god in the Phoenician scriptures. In Greek mythology, he was even an object of Zeus's taboo.

Because Zeus, the father of the gods, was also known as 'the one who avoids flies'.

This is why in many works describing Christ's Hell, Beelzebub is either the prime minister or the emperor of Hell. Even in demonology, there are many settings where Satan is merely a "rebel leader" who comes to Hell, hoping to seek Beelzebub's cooperation to fight against Heaven.

In terms of sheer power, Beelzebub was far greater than Lucifer. But this world is ultimately a place where might makes right, and the fact that Beelzebub failed to claim the title of Satan on his first attempt says a lot.

Of course, it's also possible that Beelzebub didn't want to be pampered by Teacher Mi's size 42 feet.

Tsuruga didn't care about any scheming or not; he just wanted to figure out what this old fly wanted him to do!

"I have long since faded into obscurity among the many myths. The Canaanites are a thing of the past; I have always been subordinate to them," Beelzebub said wistfully.

“Even though I am one of the fallen angels in some worlds, my relationship with him has never been one of superiority or inferiority.”

"Even in hell, I am his true rival!"

—Yes, yes, yes, he's the strictest father and the best opponent who punches the other's big foot in the face!

"So what exactly do you want?" Tsugumi tilted her head and asked.

"Don't tell me you're planning to drag me into a rebellion or something? Putting aside the fact that I'm not ready to live yet, why would I rebel against the old man who's been protecting me like this?"

“You’ve misunderstood,” Beelzebub stepped forward and gently patted his shoulder, speaking softly.

“I only have faith in you, my child. You are not a fallen angel, and even if your past and future are destined to be one of the ‘demons,’ you are born to stand on our side, on the side of the Goetia nobles.”

"Haven't I always been one of you?"

“No, no, no, that’s not how it is,” Beelzebub wagged his finger and laughed.

"You may not know it, but ever since you became one of us, you've been the hottest topic in Hell. But in the Hydra's royal court, among us, you're considered closer to those guys who fell from the sky."

"Strictly speaking, I am a sinner and a demon." Tsugumi glanced sideways.

“But you weren’t created by Him either!” Beelzebub said with a smile.

"You should join us. It's more free, more spontaneous, and has a brighter future, young man!"

Looking at Beelzebub, who seemed to be making abrupt, almost like a company HR recruiter, Tsugumi said directly...

"Just tell me what you want me to do by stirring up all this trouble!"

“I have already said it.” Beelzebub extended his hand to him.

"Be our Christ (Christos)!"

238. Children make choices, adults want it all!

Christ, derived from the Greek or Latin word Christos, originally meant "anointed one," referring to the king of the ancient Jews, and also the Messiah in Hebrew.

The term "King of Kings," "Lord of Nations," and "Savior" all refer to this concept.

However, after the rise of Christianity, this term came to specifically refer to Jesus. He was, in essence, the absolute heir, holding an absolute position.

Now this old fly that suddenly appeared is actually pointing at Dongjiang and telling him to become Jesus?

Tsuruga blinked, covered her mouth, and hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped herself.

"Don't drag me down with you if you're fucking asking for it!"

Tsurugi said without any politeness

Not to mention that Tsugumi and his bro have a good relationship, it would be absolutely impossible for him to do anything to challenge them!

This isn't even a question of whether or not they can win. Putting all other issues aside, does Tsugumi really want to be some kind of savior?

That's impossible! Absolutely impossible!

You could make him destroy the world, because that would give him a thrill. But to make him do something like saving the world or creating a new world—

Here's what I'll introduce you to someone named Xin Hong. Why don't you ask him for help?

"No, no, no, darling, that's not what we meant."

Beelzebub grabbed his hand and said with a smile...

"We want you to become the enemy base."

337

"antikristos"

"Isn't this the same thing?!" Dongjiang quickly let go of the old fly's hand, poured out a glass of water, and washed herself thoroughly.

The Antichrist is a rather complex concept. Simply put, anyone who opposes the Great Teacher is the Antichrist.

In a broad sense, heretics, witches, and demons can all be considered Antichrists. Early Gnosticism, which separated Jesus' humanity from Christ's divinity, was also labeled an Antichrist.

Even during the Reformation, many Protestants broke away, and the Eastern Orthodox Church referred to the Pope as the Antichrist.

In human society, anyone who denies the divinity of Jesus and distorts the teachings of salvation on the cross, regardless of their self-proclaimed claims, falls into this category. This is essentially a manifestation of a struggle for the right to interpret scripture.

But this is clearly a misinterpretation.

As far as Tsurugi knows, Master Daya doesn't care at all what others say about him not being the son of God, and it doesn't matter if people deny his divinity, as long as they can act according to his teachings.

Being a good person, a good person with the right faith, is the best service to Him and God.

It doesn't matter if you don't believe in them, as long as you don't turn to the devil like those Jews, it doesn't matter what you do.

But in Hell, especially in Beelzebub's words, it's something else entirely.

The lawless one, the beast that comes up from the sea, the despicable one who commits destruction, the arrogant king.

He will make and break a covenant with Israel, be arrogant, claim to be God in the temple and demand oneness of worship; he will use the power of evil to perform miracles to deceive people and persecute saints.

It refers to the ultimate agent of hell, the super villain who is opposed to Jesus, and is a character who will live to the end of Judgment Day, suffer a complete defeat, and be thrown into the lake of fire to face a second death.

You want Tsurugi to do this? Is he out of his mind?!

“Even if you resist—” Beelzebub spread his hands, laughing gleefully.

"But it is an indisputable fact that you have embarked on the path of the Antichrist."

“You are a lawless person, and in your eyes neither the law of God nor the law of man is something to be feared.”

"You are the beast that came up from the sea, and you have received the seal of Leviathan and become King of Behemoth."

"You are a destructive and abominable one; many abominable things have been destroyed by your own hands!"

"You too are an arrogant king, your arrogance is unmatched, and your crown has already been worn."

She paused, then stepped forward, opening her arms as if cradling something unseen, and placed it on Tsurugi's head, saying softly...

"There's no need to resist anymore, it's a fait accompli! Wear this crown, and then make your wish to save the world!"

'You have received the 'Mark of Gluttony' from Beelzebub, the King of Gluttony (the chief of demons)!'

'Detected a deeper penetration of the Jealousy pathway power; your Inscription skill [Seven Seals Lv4] has been upgraded to [Seven Seals Lv5]!'

　妿【Seven Seals Lv5】

'Seven deadly sins, seven powers, seven spheres of authority, seven crowns. You are a favorite of Hell, favored by multiple realms simultaneously. This is a great honor only a demon can attain—to simultaneously receive and wield the favor and blessings of multiple sinful powers! At this moment, you simultaneously possess the crowns of the realms of desire, wrath, and pride, and you have five opportunities to gain a demonic body and power (three already used).'

"Hehehe, look how dazzling your crown is!"

Beelzebub looked at Tsurugi with satisfaction and tilted his head.

"Throughout history, no one has ever been able to gather five seals like you, and the remaining two are already within your grasp!"

She wasn't joking.