Despite my determination to go to the demon realm, I unfortunately had to abandon this plan.

I thought everyone except Dietrich would agree, but even Veronica, who had proposed the plan, started to dissuade me.

And she did so with quite logical reasons that were difficult to refute.

“It was said that the holy sword and the apostle of God are necessary to completely destroy Belial. If something happens to you during the operation, there will be no one left to stop Belial.”

“I’ll make sure nothing goes wrong. I’ll run away immediately if it gets dangerous.”

“No, I’ll find another way, so let’s put this on hold for now.”

I glanced at Dietrich in response to Veronica’s adamant refusal, but there was no way he would support my opinion.

He had been opposed to it from the beginning, after all.

I later brought up this topic to Ren and Ludovica as well, but they shared the same opinion.

Everyone was in unanimous agreement except for me.

‘I know the reasons they’re trying to stop me… but there’s no other way.’

If we delay, it will be too late.

The number of patients will increase exponentially at this rate.

Even if we succeed in killing the demon king later, it will be a meaningless victory if many people have already lost their lives.

‘…I don’t want that.’

From the day I learned the source of my power, I felt a sense of responsibility for it.

Originally, I should have ended my life absurdly by being hit by a truck in my previous life.

But fortunately, I caught the eye of God and was given another chance at life.

At first, it was difficult living while being persecuted by my family, but I was satisfied with my life now.

Although it was through the strange occasion of a ‘kidnapping,’ I met precious people anyway.

‘The reason I was able to get this special opportunity was ultimately to save humans.’

God expected me to successfully drive out the demons and protect the humans.

Since he has already perished, there is no way for him to check even if I don’t meet his expectations…

But I still wanted to do my duty.

If there was a way to save many people, it was right to rush in without hesitation.

That power was given to me for that purpose in the first place.

‘But it’s frustrating that everyone is only opposing it.’

I let out a deep sigh with my head buried in the desk.

Perhaps that sound was louder than I thought, as Ren knocked on the door.

“Lady Vivian, did something happen?”

At the sound of his voice through the door, I slightly lifted my head and gave an appropriate answer.

“It’s nothing! You don’t have to worry.”

“…May I come in for a moment?”

Ren naturally opened the door, pulled a nearby chair, and sat next to me.

“It’s because of that matter, isn’t it?”

At the question that hit the nail on the head, I smiled awkwardly and pretended not to know.

“Huh? What matter? I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”

“You know. What I’m referring to.”

With an expression that seemed to say not to try to deceive him, I meekly nodded.

“…Yes, you’re right about what you’re thinking, Ren.”

He tilted his head slightly as if he had expected it and then started to admonish me.

“I understand why you want to go, Lady Vivian. But the risk we have to take this time is too great.”

“I know that too. But I don’t want to give up before we even start.”

“If you insist, I’ll go and see for myself.”

“Don’t do that. It’s more dangerous for you than for me, Ren.”

“It’s the same for you, Lady Vivian. We’re both equally ignorant about the demon realm.”

To be precise, it wasn’t that I didn’t know anything at all.

There was information I had seen from God’s memories. I wanted to argue back, but I held back my impulse. It would ruin the plan if I did.

“…Alright. I’ll let go of my attachment.”

I thought I had acted naturally to the best of my ability, but was it still not enough to deceive Ren? He looked at my expression with suspicious eyes.

“Ugh, you’re right that I can’t let go. But everyone is against it anyway. I have no choice.”

When I openly expressed my disappointment, Ren comforted me warmly again.

“I’ll definitely try to find another way. Please just wait until then.”

“Okay, I got it.”

When I replied with a faint smile, he seemed a little relieved.

I could feel the worried look in his eyes gradually subsiding.

Seeing that, my conscience pricked me slightly.

“I’m glad. Ah, I think I should get going now.”

“Where did you say you were going?”

“I’m going to stop by the information guild. There’s something I asked them to investigate.”

“It’ll take you a while to get there? It’s far from here.”

“Yes, it will take at least an hour.”

“Alright, Ren. Have a safe trip!”

I followed him to the front door to see him off.

“Yes, I’ll be back soon.”

I followed Ren with my eyes until he disappeared from sight, and once he was out of view, I quickly looked around.

‘…He’s definitely gone, right?’

Even though I visually confirmed that Ren had already gone far away, I checked again out of anxious concern.

Usually, there was no need to be tense at home… but today was special. Because I had decided to cause some trouble.

I hurried back to my room with quickened steps.

Then I took out a bag that I had secretly hidden in the drawer.

It was to do a final check of the contents before leaving.

‘Enough spare mana antidotes, 10 magic tools to use as lighting, insect collection containers…’

After mumbling to myself for a while, I neatly organized the items I had rummaged through.

I had properly packed all the necessary luggage. Now all that was left was to hurry and depart before Ren returned.

Perhaps because I was about to commit a bad deed, my shoulders were tense for no reason.

I took a deep breath and tried to relieve the tension.

‘Let’s not lose strength from the start. The place I’m going to is much more dangerous than here.’

I told Ren that I would let go of my attachment, but it was actually a complete lie.

Because from now on, I planned to head to the portal leading to the Redanipus breeding ground.

‘I feel a bit guilty… but I have no choice. This is for the best.’

I didn’t intend to deceive him like this and act on my own from the beginning.

At least there was a time when I made all sorts of efforts to persuade even one person.

However, my efforts were to no avail. Even if I argued that I could do it well, that I had to go because I must, everyone dissuaded me.

I appreciated their concern, but I couldn’t just not even try for fear of losing.

And above all, honestly, I was confident. That even if the timing was delayed, in the end, I would have to be the one to do this.

But by the time everyone agrees to let me go, it might already be too late.

So I decided to secretly go to the demon realm on my own and come back.

‘It’s usually faster to ask for forgiveness than permission…’

I was worried about the aftermath that would occur when I returned to the human realm, but I was more afraid of people dying in vain.

So I just made a decision and began to secretly make plans.

The one I had to be most wary of was Ren.

I didn’t have to worry about being caught by the others since we didn’t live together, but Ren could notice my plan at any time.

So I set the execution date to be the earliest day when he would be out for a long time.

Even if he found out about my plan later, he wouldn’t be able to chase after me.

‘And now is the timing to execute it!’

I confirmed again that Ren was not around the house and stepped outside.

Since the destination was quite a distance away, I first got on a carriage.

If I used my abilities, I would get there quickly, but I was concerned about the distribution of my stamina, so I decided to take a carriage for a certain distance even if it took a little longer.

After the carriage departed, I looked out the window.

My heart was pounding as fast as the rapidly changing scenery. It seemed I was still tense.

‘It’s okay. I prepared to the best of my ability.’

When I repeated it to myself like a spell, strangely, my breathing gradually calmed down. It felt like things would go well according to plan.

But at this time, I had no idea. That someone was secretly following me.

It took less than 2 hours to reach the portal.

Originally, it would have taken much longer to get here, but it was thanks to moving quickly with my abilities in the middle.

When I reached the mountainous region, it wasn’t difficult to find the cave that the investigation team had reported.

Because demons that looked like scout troops were loitering around.

They all seemed to be mid-level demons.

Now, even if it was one against many, I could handle mid-level demons, so I quickly took them down.

As soon as I entered the cave, I immediately saw the portal.

Compared to the one I saw in the Black Tree Forest, it was small in size, but the overwhelming presence I felt when standing in front of it was still tremendous.

Its foreign appearance was clearly warning not to touch it carelessly.

But from now on, I had to not only touch that hole but personally throw myself into it.

‘I won’t die… right?’

I came here with bravado, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t scared.

I shrank back a little and hesitated as I was about to rush towards the portal.

Then I timidly stretched out only my left arm towards the portal.

I could feel each tiny hair on my arm standing up stiffly due to the strange energy emanating from the portal.

It was a reaction caused by an instinctive rejection, telling me not to go to the other side.

I closed my eyes tightly and pushed my arm a little further through the portal. I was worried it might hurt, but surprisingly, I didn’t feel any pain.

Even when I pulled it back out of the portal, my arm looked intact.

Only then did I finally muster the courage to go to the other side.

Before my resolve could change, I put strength into my legs and walked into the portal.

It was the moment I set foot in the demon realm for the first time.