Endless Debt Chapter 1015 - 93: Homeless

In order to establish a foothold in the Material Realm, the Devils, rejected by the Material Realm, devised every possible means to carve out a small domain that could accommodate them. This domain may overlap with the Ethereal Realm, thereby holding their power and becoming their territory in the mortal world.

Bologue had already encountered several Devil domains: the ethereal, shifting mist of the Unsettled Path, the Joyful Garden forever traversing iron tracks, and the House of the Rising Sun deep within the Cultivation Room, accommodating numerous souls.

These domains share several similarities: they seamlessly blend into the mortal world so that at first glance, anomalies are hard to detect. Yet beneath this perfect guise, each domain holds its own unique set of rules.

In the Unsettled Path, you can substitute your soul with Mammon Coins to make wishes. Within the Joyful Garden, power is gained through the outcome of games. The House of the Rising Sun is even simpler; one just needs to share their sight with Belphegor.

But what about the Undying Club?

From Serey’s tale of how he became a bartender, Bologue sensed a deep unease and oddity. Then he began to ponder, perhaps this is the rule of the Undying Club?

Anyone seeking refuge must offer something of value to the Undying Club.

Serey’s relaxed expression tensed up, his muscles tightened, his breath quickened, then steadied, and his whole body relaxed once more.

"Bologue, I just got up. Can we not discuss things that shoot my heart rate through the roof?"

"You realized it a long time ago, didn’t you?"

"I can barely say that I’ve guessed it, but I don’t have any proof," Serey stretched lazily, "Why bother overthinking? The peace here is hard-won, so why disrupt it?"

"Besides, even if it’s the domain of a Devil, so what? I think this Devil isn’t bad at all. He’s lived here so long without ever showing himself, like a kind landlord who never disturbs his tenants’ lives."

Seeing Bologue still wearing that serious look, Serey continued, "There is no absolute evil or absolute justice. You should understand that."

"It’s like... can you imagine I was once a Night Race Lord who committed all sorts of crimes?"

"Indeed, that’s hard to imagine, but Devils are different."

"No, no, no, Bologue. I didn’t mean that there are good Devils among them, but that sometimes our interests might align with the Devils’ to some extent."

Serey knew what Bologue was going to say and quickly interrupted.

"Are you sure your interests overlap with his?" Bologue said, glancing up at the Undying Club.

"At least for the past few hundred years, it has been so," Serey said, "Just by its appearance, would you connect this place to a Devil’s domain?"

Bologue paused in silence, "No... This place looks more like a deliberately lavishly decorated, dodgy bar that would run off after making a quick buck."

"This bar is older than you!"

Serey took a deep breath, his expression becoming melancholic.

"All of what we’ve discussed is merely speculation without direct evidence to prove any of it, you know?"

Bologue nodded. They not only lacked evidence but couldn’t even find a shadow of a Devil.

"I think if there really is a so-called master here, I somewhat understand his feelings," Serey continued in a different vein.

"Understanding what? The joy of keeping hamsters?"

"No, it’s solitude."

Serey looked at Bologue with envy, "You are still young, but we are different. We’ve lived too long, with loneliness winding around us. Our prolonged lifespans have brought endless strife. We’re all tired, yearning for a peaceful sanctuary."

"I think the master here feels the same, which is why he created such a tranquil place, gathering us Undead together to keep warm."

The price we pay is minimal, merely helping him maintain the club’s operation.

Bologue gazed at Serey, saying, "Are you persuading me not to drag conflict into the Undying Club?"

"Yes, I hope the Undying Club can remain peaceful like this," Serey knew his intentions wouldn’t escape Bologue, "I think the Devil’s intentions are the same. You know, we Undead may be out of tune with the times, but we still hold some power, like a rust-covered sword that can still kill."

But he hasn’t driven us to war; instead, he retreats into this place, spending his days drinking and making merry, or sleeping soundly."

"Truly benevolent..." Bologue said.

"Indeed, I even feel like fighting for him," Serey further explained, "For the peace of this club."

Serey’s momentum couldn’t stay strong for long. He weakened again, as if conceding, with a hint of pleading in his voice.

"This place is far from perfect, but it’s the only place in the world that accommodates me. I love this place; it’s my home."

Serey murmured, "Without it, I wouldn’t even know where to go."

Thus, Serey would defend this place, whether or not he is a bartender.

"Quite unexpected indeed." Bologue said.

"What’s up?"

Bologue said, "I just find it interesting that you once had a vast empire and didn’t cherish it, but now you’re willing to give everything for this club."

Serey didn’t respond. After a while, he slowly said, "You’ll understand someday."