Sacrifice's Rise: I Became Invincible After Entering Godslayer Temple Chapter 690 Ali's Wish

Ancient legends speak of a colossal conflict between the gods and devils that transpired millennia ago—a war for existence, free from good or evil, fought solely for survival.

The chronicles declare the deities triumphant, banishing the entire devil race into the void, a place where nothing, not even gods or devils, should ever endure.

It was purportedly the world's genesis, a realm devoid of all things, even the very concept of existence itself.

Yet, in this present moment, could it be that a living 'devil' was actually standing before Ali?

"You must be joking," Ali stammered.

While devils in this land didn't inherently represent evil, and only a fervent few within the Church's inquisitorial forces harbored animosity towards beings of equal standing to deities, the claim was still staggering.

To openly display such hostility towards a super-entity comparable to the gods, and then to identify oneself as a 'devil' in such a context, suggested either profound madness or an undeniable reality!

Ali refused to entertain the latter, desperately wishing for the entity before him to be nothing more than a powerful, albeit deranged, individual.

Should this truly be a 'devil,' Ali doubted even the most venerable elders from the high elf kingdoms could escape unscathed.

"Not at all," the figure replied.

Despite appearing as a human youth save for the markings on his face, Diabolos offered a smile and continued, "I expected you wouldn't believe me. I'd anticipated this reaction... However, if presented with irrefutable proof, could you still deny it?"

"Little one, you've encountered that unscrupulous individual, haven't you?"

"The one who constantly resides within the mana ocean."

God Nameless!

Though lacking a formal designation, the entity Ali had encountered within the mana ocean was unmistakably divine in nature.

But how could this being possibly possess such knowledge?

Ali's gaze met Diabolos's crimson eyes, which gleamed with amusement and disdain. She contemplated whether direct communion with the mana ocean might offer a solution.

The titanic clashes of the gods were best left to themselves.

In situations where a single misstep could lead to utter annihilation, non-interference was the wisest course.

"Remaining silent? Contemplating a response? You're starting to believe me, aren't you?"

Diabolos's expression shifted to one of smug satisfaction, akin to a child who had successfully executed a mischievous prank.

"Even without you revealing it, I can 'sense' it—the distinct aroma of that individual."

"Only that particular scoundrel possesses such a scent, masquerading as a benefactor to the world."

Diabolos's gaze directed itself towards Ali's right hand, where the core of 'Brave' was housed.

Instinctively, Ali concealed her hand, eliciting a mocking smirk from Diabolos.

"The power of that individual? I am certain; that is unequivocally his might! I wonder what whimsical title he's adopted this time? 'Knight'? 'Champion of Justice'? Such futile posturing is entirely his style!"

Retreating a step, Diabolos raised his hands, palms open, and summoned forth twin flames—one crimson, the other azure—burning with an unnatural stillness.

This was no mere mana construct; it was an feat beyond the capabilities of even specialized mages.

The flames shimmering in his grasp were not imbued mana, but true "fire"!

Devoid of any arcane structure, they had been fundamentally transmuted at a material level to manifest as "fire"!

This implied that Diabolos possessed the ability to create virtually anything he desired.

"Equivalent exchange, that is my sole principle," Diabolos declared with a chilling smirk.

"This is the fundamental balance of existence. Whatever you yearn for, provided you can offer an equivalent price, can be yours—it is a genuine wish-granting mechanism."

Why did that sound so uncannily familiar?

Ali suddenly grasped the source of Code 19's extraordinary speed and precision.

"But there's one crucial detail! The only currency I accept in this realm is souls!"

Diabolos's smile remained constant, yet its implication shifted dramatically in Ali's perception, as if observing a demonic entity wreathed in cold, emerald flames.

"If the soul of an average, healthy individual is valued at one hundred units, then yours is of the highest caliber, appraised at over a thousand units... possessing a power that could potentially challenge the gods themselves."

Despite the theatrical nature of Diabolos's pronouncement, Ali remained unfazed.

"That kind of charade is obsolete. Just proceed with your intentions; there's no need for such elaborate pretense!"

Ali did not draw her sword, recognizing the futility of wielding a weapon against the devil standing before her.

She accepted it now; the being confronting her was indeed a devil...

For no mere human could comprehend the intricacies of the human heart with such chilling accuracy!

Any mortal could be swayed by their emotions, leading to inherent biases, but not a devil, for it was utterly non-human.

"If only it were that straightforward."

For the first time, Ali overheard a weary sigh emanating from the devil.

"Running a business is far from simple these days... In bygone eras, my mere presence was enough to secure a substantial harvest of souls. Now, I find myself resorting to frights and deceptions, practically on the verge of offering discounts, only to be met with your dismissal, 'That tactic is outdated.' What a harsh blow!"

Diabolos, his tone oddly mirroring that of a middle-aged man facing a personal crisis, commenced a surprisingly mundane lament.

Ali's expression flickered with surprise for a fleeting moment before settling back into its usual composure.

After all, she stood before a being capable of obliterating an entire nation with a casual gesture; maintaining a prudent reserve was essential.

Offending such an entity could lead to calamitous repercussions.

Perhaps... a purchase was in order?

While God Nameless had indeed claimed her soul for the afterlife, that was a future inconvenience, not an immediate concern.

Witnessing Diabolos retreat into a sulk, squatting on the ground and idly sketching circles, even the resolute Ali felt a palpable pressure.

One could only wonder about the potential effects of the arcane patterns being drawn by such a formidable creature.

She opened her lips to speak, yet a last-minute hesitation prevented the words from emerging.

To make a pact with a devil? Though not as notoriously wicked as demons, devils were hardly benevolent beings.

What if, after securing her soul, the devil decided to renege on the agreement?

"Oh, fear not, little one. Whether devils or demons, we have all built our reputations upon unwavering honesty and integrity."

Unexpectedly, Diabolos had materialized a picnic spread, complete with a teapot of fragrant red tea, several plates adorned with delicate cakes, and near him, a high-quality, hardcover book had appeared as if from nowhere.

Ali's eyelid twitched involuntarily, and Diabolos, perceiving her subtle reaction with a single glance, easily deciphered her inner turmoil, offering a gentle smile.

"I sense your hesitation may persist for quite some time. Perhaps you would care to sit and rest for a spell?"

"Go back!" Ali's sudden, forceful exclamation caught Diabolos completely off guard.

"Go back! That is my request, my earnest wish!"

"Are you quite certain?" A peculiar expression dawned on Diabolos's face, as if he had encountered something profoundly unusual.

The humans he had encountered previously did not behave in this manner.

Upon learning of his infernal nature, their initial fear would invariably give way to a swiftly revealed glint of avarice in their eyes.

Precisely like so.

Such souls were readily acquired, their value low.

Diabolos rose to his feet, his demeanor shifting to one of solemnity.

"I am completely certain! Name your price! Just state it clearly!"

"And what price would that be?" Diabolos stroked his chin thoughtfully.

What could possibly be the cost for commanding a being of such divine caliber?

Although the term 'command' was used, it did not necessitate specific actions, therefore the price would certainly not be the entirety of her soul.

Given Diabolos's own mention of equivalent exchange as the established law, he could not possibly violate it himself.

He was, after all, a devil, not a demon devoid of moral constraints.

While both parties spoke of equivalent exchanges, placing trust in a demon invariably led to a more wretched conclusion!

To Diabolos's knowledge, no human who had ever struck a bargain with a demon had met a favorable end.

After a period of brief deliberation, a proposition began to form within Diabolos's mind.

"I have reached a decision. The price shall be—you! I shall not claim your soul, but neither shall I depart. Your body shall become my eternal abode!"

"In recompense, I shall provide you with daily compensation!"

The principle of equivalent exchange was not solely for Ali to impose conditions; Diabolos too possessed the right to set terms!

Although devils most ardently desired human souls, there were indeed occasional exceptions to this rule.

Diabolos had not encountered an individual as captivatingly intriguing as Ali in a considerable span of time.

Diabolos's abrupt proposal left Ali momentarily stunned, uncertain how to appropriately react.

However, a single realization solidified within her: the days that lay ahead promised to be increasingly steeped in utter chaos.

Devils, by their very nature, were agents of turmoil, and when considering Jelia and Roronora, half-orcs who thrived amidst such pandemonium, the situation became even more pronounced.

Now, with her, the last remaining member of their once order-aligned trio, becoming a vessel for a devil, their collective future appeared decidedly bleak.

"Well, we are truly in a predicament now."

Symbolic representation held significant weight, particularly upon the Avala Continent, a realm where deities actually existed.

The symbolism an individual embodied fundamentally dictated their standing.

Aligning oneself with the opposition to the deities might not directly invite divine retribution, but their vast legions of subordinate beings presented an entirely different matter entirely.