Infinite Returns : The More I Give, The Stronger I Become-Chapter 81: Divine Executioner

Chapter 81: Divine Executioner

Ethan couldn’t help but be genuinely surprised by Seravax’s words.

So, all of this... was just for love?

He let himself be pierced by this shining golden spear... for love?

He allowed himself to be imprisoned here... for love?

He chose to be left alone without any company for hundreds of years... for love?

All of this... for love?

Ethan reevaluated Seravax again, but one or maybe two things puzzled him greatly.

"Then what about the blood outside? What are the corpses all around you? Because to me, it looked like you were fighting someone powerful... and lost," Ethan said, genuinely confused.

"Oh! That?" Seravax replied, understanding what he meant.

"Well, let’s say my dear lover wanted an audience for that. She told me she’d call some of her people to observe, but I had to kill all of them and then, finally, let her pierce me." Seravax said this while tilting his head slightly.

"I never actually understood why all that, but I didn’t care much... as long as she was happy and willing to give me a chance," he added, a small fond smile forming at the end.

But he was the only one smiling like that. Because the more Ethan listened, the more something began to sit wrong not necessarily bad feelings, per se... but pity. Deep, quiet pity for this guy.

Still, there was something else Ethan couldn’t quite wrap his head around.

"You..." he started, drawing Seravax’s attention.

Ethan looked at him, eyes narrowed with the kind of look that said, you fooled me, because—

"...How the hell can you be the Archdemon of Pride, huh? This is nonsense," Ethan said, his voice sharp, almost certain now.

Because things just didn’t add up.

The image he had in his head of the Archdemon of Pride was not this. After all, where in the hell would you find a prideful being willingly letting someone pierce his very being just to prove love?

Since when?

Since never.

So then... who was this guy?

Seravax couldn’t help but laugh softly at the question. But it wasn’t a laugh of amusement — not even close.

It was a soft, self-loathing laugh. A pitiful one.

And as if in response, the atmosphere in his mind realm shifted — sad, melancholic, a heavy stillness in the air.

"I told you about the downsides of being born with that kind of status, didn’t I?" Seravax asked.

Ethan nodded once.

"But do you think inheriting the enemies of a troublesome father was the only downside?" he asked again.

This time, he didn’t wait for Ethan to answer. frёeωebɳovel.com

"It wasn’t," he said, his voice firm, decisive.

"Because, like I told you, I was born as a god. And do you know what all gods have?"

"Divinity," he answered himself immediately.

’Why ask the question if you’re going to answer it yourself...’ Ethan thought inwardly, slightly exasperated.

But Seravax continued without pause.

"Divinity is what makes you a god. Some gods have multiple, others choose to focus on one to elevate it further but that’s not the point..."

"The point is, if you’re born a god... you don’t get to choose your divinity. You either inherit it from your parents or get a variant of it."

"Do you understand where I’m going, mortal?"

"I didn’t choose to walk the path of pridefulness. I didn’t choose to look down on everything and believe I was the best."

He paused, his gaze now locked on Ethan’s.

"I didn’t choose to be a being of pride. And even if my whole being — even my very blood — screams pride..."

"My mind does not. And my heart... even less."

"So yes. That’s why I’m like this." He finally finished, letting the weight of his words settle in the air.

Ethan listened closely... and understood something important.

He didn’t envy Seravax for being born a god. He was Ethan. There was nothing in this world that could make him feel envy.

But he knew one thing: most people — maybe even all mortals — would die of jealousy for the kind of power and status Seravax held.

And yet, to Ethan... being born mortal was the better path.

Because mortals had something godborns didn’t...the right to choose.

The right to walk their own path. To carve their own destiny. To earn titles through their actions and ascend into godhood on their own terms — to forge their own divinity.

Granted, very few ever reached that state... but that wasn’t the point.

The point was... it was possible.

And when you reach it through your own hands, you get to choose the kind of god you become.

Because Ethan was sure of one thing, Seravax might be strong, exceptionally so but he was not fighting at his true potential.

After all... how could you wield the power of Pride correctly if your mind and heart weren’t prideful?

You couldn’t.

Ethan sighed softly, pity threading through the breath.

"Would you let go of your divinity of pride if you ever had the chance?" he asked.

"Of course," Seravax answered instantly.

"Then why not do it? I don’t think it would be that hard for you," Ethan said, voice calm.

"It’s not as easy as you think," Seravax replied. "You need a very specific potion and a corresponding artifact to do it — and even then, the pain is immense."

"But yes, I did have those. I had the means."

"...Then why didn’t you do it?" Ethan asked.

"Because changing my divinity means losing my godhood. I’d become mortal. And please... how would I survive as a mortal? I wouldn’t."

"They’d all come for me. And don’t even mention my father, he’d probably be the first."

"After all, can you imagine how much his pride would suffer if his own son discarded everything he worked for? His legacy?"

Seravax smiled bitterly.

"He’d hunt me to the edge of the universe."

Ethan stood in silence, a thought forming —

’How—’

[Don’t even think about it, Host.] the system cut in abruptly, its voice mechanical.

Ethan blinked. ’What do you mean?’ he asked, feigning confusion.

[You know exactly what I mean. Don’t try to save him.]

Ethan sighed inwardly. ’Are you really the Divine Benevolence System? How can you not want to save this pitiful fellow? And now I’m even more convinced — that angel used him. This whole thing... it reeks.’

[The Keepers of Soul are your enemies. The Greek Pantheon will be too — you can’t hide Airi forever. And now you want to save a demon lord? One of Pride?]

[It’s too early, Host. Become stronger first. Don’t forget... you’re still a D-rank lifeform.]

The system’s voice had lost its mechanical tone. It now sounded... almost human.

And Ethan knew exactly why.

But he didn’t comment on it.

’You’re too serious, system.’

’What’s the point of having such a powerful system if I don’t do some crazy things? My life would be boring if I just climbed the Tower like a robot. And I know... no one can match me and in no time, I’ll become a god if I do exactly that.’

’But that’s not interesting. I want to experience things. I want to meet people. I want to enjoy this journey.’

’And so what if I make enemies along the way? That’s fine. It’ll make it more fun.’

’So just watch me, system. I’ll show you great things. And maybe... just maybe... I’ll find out more about the being behind you too, hmm?’

The system stayed quiet for a few seconds.

[...Fine. Walk your own path.]

Ethan smirked.

"So Seravax you don’t want to be a being of pride?" he asked again.

"I already told you yes. Hell, I don’t even want to be a demon anymore it’ll make it harder to gain blessings from my in-laws. I just want to be human. I heard that angels got a soft spot for those," Seravax said with a sigh.

"What a great coincidence," Ethan grinned. "I just gained a Saintess for my faith, and I was thinking... I needed an Executioner."

He stepped forward.

"So tell me, Seravax — do you wish to become a Divine Executioner?"

He smiled. The kind of smile only a deep-pocket merchant could wear.

"Your chances with that angel will double, no, triple, with this new title."

Trust me.

—End of Chapter 81—

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