Chapter 9 : Choosing gift is so hard

The essence of Hell has not changed, even as various industries have developed.

After all, Hell is a place where sinners are punished and their sins are cleansed.

The demons, too, have not forgotten that essence.

So…

“Welcome.

Please tell us what knowledge you require, and we will provide the most suitable sinner for you, Chief Justice.”

Even imprisoning sinners in capsules and using them as knowledge dispensers could be considered a form of judgment.

Dantalion glanced around the building, his gaze indifferent as he took in the sight of dozens of capsules lined up in rows.

As Sitri looked around as well, she spoke in an excited tone.

“The Hell of Arrogance really is fascinating.”

“It’s more than just fascinating.”

The very depths of Hell—The Hell of Arrogance.

This is where those who sinned through knowledge and wisdom were cast down.

Dantalion stared intently into one of the capsules.

The sinner inside was bound, their limbs restrained, and their eyes covered with cursed bandages.

Those bandages held the power to deny everything about the sinner.

‘Knowledge, wisdom, conviction…A fitting punishment for those who spent their lives believing they were always right.’

To die and revive endlessly in a world they could never escape through their own power.

The souls cast into the Hell of Arrogance had to endure this torment for countless eons before they could earn a chance at reincarnation.

But usually… well, most of them chose to disappear before that ever happened.

Taking his eyes off the capsule, Dantalion turned to the demon in a crisp suit and asked,

“Who’s the most eloquent one here?”

“If you’re looking for the most eloquent, I have just the right sinners in mind.

Please, follow me.”

Dantalion followed the guide deeper into the building.

At its center, a massive, grand golden elevator awaited him.

It was a colossal elevator, intricately carved with depictions of demons and monsters from mythology.

The demon grinned proudly and gestured toward it.

“We ensure that our elevators accommodate the sizes of all demons at the highest standard.”

“I get that you’re being considerate, but… did it really have to be made of solid gold?”

“But of course! Isn’t it magnificent?”

Sitri nodded in agreement.

Honestly, for a place ruled by the Great Demon Lords, a bit of ostentation was only fitting, wasn’t it?

She tapped Dantalion’s shoulder and whispered,

“We can’t fall behind.

Just leave it to me, and I’ll make the Supreme Court absolutely—”

“Is that really necessary?

Personally, I think simplicity is more appealing than extravagance.”

Dantalion dismissed the whispering demon’s words with ease and stepped into the elevator, following the guide.

Clicking her tongue, Sitri stepped in as well.

The guide pressed the button for the lowest underground floor—666.

The elevator rapidly descended, coming to a smooth stop with a chime.

And the place they arrived at… was desolate beyond words.

Looking around after stepping out of the elevator, Dantalion asked the guide,

“Did you model this after a morgue from the surface world?

It’s less extravagant than I expected.”

Lined up in rows were storage units resembling freezers—just like those in a morgue.

As he walked deeper into the 666th floor, Dantalion approached the walls.

They were covered with plaques bearing the names of sinners and the sins they had committed.

The guide, who had followed closely behind, spoke up.

“You are correct that this was modeled after a morgue, but to be precise, this place is closer to Lord Lucifer’s personal exhibition hall.”

“Exhibition hall?”

“Yes.

You could call it the final resting place that Lord Lucifer has prepared for garbage that can never be cleansed of their sins.”

With a twisted smirk, the guide pulled open the handle of one of the storage units.

A freezing coldness, one that seemed to chill even the soul, poured out.

Inside the black ice, a grotesquely disfigured sinner was trapped, their body completely frozen.

“We have preserved these souls in Helheim’s black ice.

Thanks to its unique properties, the sinners trapped here experience eternal agony and helplessness.”

“I see.”

Dantalion nodded indifferently.

When someone sins so greatly that they turn a blank canvas into a black one, consequences are bound to follow.

After returning the sinner’s soul to the darkness by closing the storage unit, Dantalion turned back to the guide.

“So, where is the sinner I’m looking for?”

“This way.”

Checking the numbers, the guide led Dantalion to a particular storage unit.

[Paul Joseph Goebbels & Adolf Schicklgruber]

Dantalion read the plaque and asked curiously,

“Their crimes aren’t listed.

And… their names seem a bit different from what I know.”

“The crimes were too long to fit, so they were omitted.

As for the name, Lord Lucifer figured that Mr. Adolf didn’t like his surname, so he used this one instead.”

“Hmm…”

Dantalion simply nodded.

There was no point in questioning another workplace’s culture.

But still…

‘Is it really okay to pass on these guys’ knowledge and wisdom to Joanna?’

Knowledge and wisdom do not inherently distinguish between good and evil.

Even dynamite was originally created for mining, wasn’t it?

All knowledge and wisdom take on different meanings depending on the individual who possesses them.

But no matter how logical he tried to be, the uneasiness remained.

It wasn’t just any human’s knowledge—it belonged to the most wicked leader in Earth’s history.

As Dantalion’s thoughts grew heavier with hesitation…

“We’ll take this one.

Please put it in the form of a scroll and erase every last trace of the soul.”

“Rest assured.

We take pride in the fact that we’ve never received a single complaint.”

“?”

Sitri had placed the order instead of Dantalion.

She had even neatly signed the paperwork before turning to him.

“If you’re going to give it to her, might as well make sure she gets the best possible version.

You don’t know about ‘full-limit break and full enhancement’?”

“Ka.”

“…What does that mean?

It doesn’t sound like a four-character idiom.”

Dantalion let out a small sigh as Sitri shook her head as if there was no helping him.

“Honestly…

You don’t even understand the most basic principle: it’s only natural to invest everything for a beloved character.”

She clicked her tongue before continuing.

“If you’ve decided to help, then go all in!

No hesitation!

That’s basically what it means.”

“…I don’t like the sound of it, but I can’t say you’re wrong.”

Dantalion nodded.

If it seemed like Joanna was being negatively influenced by this knowledge, he could always step in later.

He had made a mistake in the beginning, but at least now, he could confidently say he understood her well enough.

A short while later, Dantalion received the neatly packaged scroll and returned to the surface with Sitri.

But then…

“Doesn’t it seem a bit brighter than when we first got here?”

“You’re right…

Did they increase the brightness or something?”

The entire building was so bright that it was almost painful to look at.

Something was strange.

Demons born in the gloom of Hell usually weren’t fond of such intense light.

More than that, the murmuring voices in the distance were growing louder.

Something was definitely happening.

“Hey there!

Aren’t you Dantalion?”

“Hmm?”

A voice called out from behind.

A young woman’s voice—using an oddly archaic manner of speaking.

Dantalion instinctively turned his head.

And standing there, peeking out from beside the elevator, was a radiant woman.

“…Kṣitigarbha?”

“That’s right!

Ah, it’s truly wonderful to see you again after so long!”

A woman who scattered a dazzling, otherworldly light—completely out of place in Hell.

With a refreshing smile, Kṣitigarbha greeted him.

Kṣitigarbha .

A bodhisattva known for saving souls from the Six Realms of Hell.

A well-known figure in Hell—so much so that she was called the Guru of the Netherworld because of her relentless efforts to save the suffering.

Dantalion figured this was some kind of fate, so he brought her to his office.

Seated on the sofa, he asked,

“Would you like something to drink?”

“I’ve recently taken a liking to something called Black Grapefruit Tea.

Would you be able to prepare that for me?”

“If it’s you asking, I won’t refuse.”

Dantalion gestured toward Sitri, who promptly set a can of coffee and a glass of Black Grapefruit Tea on the table.

Kṣitigarbha’s eyes sparkled as she took out her phone to take a picture of the beautifully colored tea.

Watching her, Dantalion sipped his coffee and commented,

“You’re still living like a youngster.”

“Hahaha!

I’ve gone through countless reincarnations—why wouldn’t I?”

Kṣitigarbha laughed heartily, snapping a few more pictures before sipping her tea through a straw.

Dantalion smirked.

This person—no, this woman—was one of his few true friends.

Setting his coffee down, he asked,

“So, are you here to save more sinners again?”

“Asking me that is like asking if I’m still breathing.”

“…Fair point.”

Dantalion nodded.

Kṣitigarbha had lived through dozens—perhaps even hundreds—of lifetimes, saving an immeasurable number of souls.

It was honestly an incomprehensible pursuit.

Sinners poured in from countless worlds—how could she possibly save them all?

Her mission was no different from running down an endless road.

And yet, no one could deny that thanks to her efforts, the workload of the judges had eased significantly.

For that alone, she deserved respect.

In a matter of moments, Kṣitigarbha finished her drink and smiled warmly.

“But what about you?

Why did you visit the Hell of Arrogance?

A demon of your caliber rarely needs knowledge or wisdom.”

“Hmm…”

Dantalion hesitated briefly before deciding to tell her about Joanna.

Unlike other beings, Kṣitigarbha would never harm Joanna.

So, he explained the situation concisely.

“Well now, that’s truly a wonderful deed!

You’re not just helping a young soul—you’re also accumulating virtue!”

“…That’s one way to look at it.”

“Hahaha!

I always thought you were indifferent to my work, but I never expected this side of you!”

Kṣitigarbha laughed brightly, radiating a divine glow.

Dantalion, on the other hand, felt oddly uncomfortable.

All he wanted was to lighten his own workload, but now it was being framed as some grand, noble act.

That made him feel strangely embarrassed.

“So, do you plan to give that scroll to the child?”

“Yes.

She struggles with making friends, so I thought a little help wouldn’t hurt.”

“Hoh, is that so?”

“?”

Smiling cheerfully, Kṣitigarbha began rummaging through her handbag.

Lipstick, candy, a four-strip photo booth picture…

Wait.

Wasn’t her past life supposed to be that of a middle-aged man?

She was living far too comfortably as a proper young lady now.

It felt like he had stumbled upon an intimate hobby that he wasn’t supposed to see.

And then—

“Here, how about a trade?”

“Hm?”

Kṣitigarbha pulled out a book with stickers decorating its cover.

[Kṣitigarbha’s Sermon Notebook – How to Make Friends Edition!]

“How about it?

I wrote this book specifically for a friend I made in this life!”

…Something ambiguous, yet oddly grand, had just appeared.

Dantalion stared at both the book and Kṣitigarbha with an unreadable expression.