Hell. What is hell? Hell is a place of punishment for souls who committed grave sins during their lives. At least, that's what we've believed until now.
So, does hell really exist? Is it just a mere belief? No. Hell does exist. Although we don't know for sure what it looks like or looks like. What is certain is... it's the most terrifying place ever created—a place that even the strongest of humans should never visit.
Hell is a multi-layered structure, with each layer carrying a different punishment according to the type of sin committed. Those who have committed these sins will be punished by being beaten, burned, and imprisoned in ice. That's my idea.
If hell has layers? How many layers? Hell has nine layers. In each layer, there are places of punishment for beings who have committed the most heinous sins on earth. Such as: not knowing God, full of lust, greedy, covetous or blinded by greed, angry to the point of taking someone's life, people who are misguided (heretics), like violence, always cheat, and commit treason.
Now... I will guide you to see—what the real picture of hell looks like.
The first layer, Limbo.
Limbo is a place for people who are not baptized or do not know God. They are not tortured, but left to live in eternity without hope of salvation.
The second layer, Lust.
This layer contains people who have been blinded by lust or worldly desires. Their punishment consisted of being blown and thrown by the never-ending storm.
The third layer, Gluttony.
Occupied by humans who live only to eat and drink excessively. They were punished by being laid in a hail of hail and dung. And guarded by the Cerberus monster.
Fourth layer, Greed.
Its inhabitants are filled with greedy people, either hoarding or squandering wealth. Punished by pushing boulders that collide with each other into eternity.
Fifth layer, Wrath.
Contains people who are vengeful and easily angered. Punished by fighting on the river Styx; the passive (vindictive) sinks beneath the mud.
Sixth layer, Heresy.
Heretics especially those who deny the immortality of the soul. Will be sentenced to be confined in a burning iron coffin forever.
Seventh layer, Violence.
Divided into three circles:
1. Against others, burned in rivers of blood.
2. Against oneself (suicide), becoming a tree torn by Harpies.
3. Against god or nature, burned by rain of fire in the desert.
The eighth layer, Fraud.
Also called Malebolge, is divided into 10 sections (bolgia): sex invaders, flatterers, spiritual deceivers (false leaders), corruptors, fortune tellers, hypocrites, thieves, evil advisors, schism makers (religious schisms), and counterfeiters.
The ninth layer, Treachery.
The final layer, the coldest place in hell, is divided into four circles:
1. Caina, traitor to family.
2. Antenora, traitor to the state.
3. Ptolomea, traitor to guests.
4. Judecca, traitor to master or patron. This includes Judas Iscariot, Brutus, and Cassius, who were chewed by Lucifer.
Lucifer himself is at the center of hell. Frozen in an icy lake, with three faces, he continues to chew on the chief traitors of humanity.
These are the nine layers of hell, each with its own punishment tailored to the severity and nature of the sin—a concept I call contrapasso.
INFERNO BOOK, PAGE THE 9 CIRCLES.
"How?..."
"How can this human describe hell with sixty percent accuracy?!" he exclaimed, annoyed. He kicked the mountain next to him.
The mountain split and flew far away, leaving only its base.
"What a shame. I was hoping there was a kingdom there," he muttered in disappointment.
Looking at the cover, it said it was written by 'Dante Aleghieri'.
"Heh. Interesting creatures. Hell is no playground for them. Not everyone can enter it. I will continue to observe their progress," said Beelzebub, one of the 12 demon kings known as the Infernia Demon. Nicknamed the Prince of Curses, or Lord of the Flies.
Beelzebub resembles a fly, but with a somewhat thinner and more humanoid body. His posture is slightly bent forward. He is about 3 meters tall. There are several sharp points on his shoulders and arms. His head resembles a fly's, but with a crown resembling the horns of a goat and an ancient demon. He has four pairs of green eyes shaped like ommatidia. He has no mouth, but he does have medium-sized mandibles like those of most insects. His skin is purplish-black, with almost indestructible durability. He has curved, sickle-like claws on his hands. He also has a pair of fly wings with cracked veins.
CASCADE MOUNTAINS, KLAMATH COUNTY, OREGON, USA, MAY 18, 09:34
"I will add this book to my collection. But for now... I must return to England."
Beelzebub walks. He continues his journey.
Each step he takes is a slow, steady tread on the plain ground, the same rhythm as ever. A very cold wind suddenly blew. A putrid odor, like the stench of a corpse, was everywhere. Furthermore, a thick fog suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
The previously brown ground now took on a strange shape. It seemed to be made of a mixture of aggregate and bitumen. Furthermore, sunlight was barely visible due to the thick fog.
The trees, which had once been numerous, instantly transformed into towering buildings. These buildings had a very strange shape. Dynamic designs, with straight, minimalist lines. Furthermore, they were made of glass and steel.
"Huh..." he surveyed his surroundings. "Have I entered someone's Ravensa (Domain)?"
The atmosphere was extremely tense. Thick fog enveloped every aspect. Accompanied by relentless gusts of cold wind.
Ngiaakkk!!! Ngiaakkk!!! The sound of metal being torn apart seemed to circle Beelzebub.
Beelzebub looked ahead. There... was a board made of iron. On the sign, a single sentence was written: 'Welcome to La Nina Town.' It was unclear what it meant. What was certain was that this place was very mysterious and seemed completely untouched.
"Could it be that an Englishman wants to kill me? I don't know. And this word..." he noted the word 'Town' on the sign. "Is this word of English origin?... I don't think so."
With a flat, cold expression, Beelzebub continued walking. He didn't know which way to get out, but he was trying to find one.
Beelzebub's attention was drawn to the writing in blood on a nearby wall.
He approached.
He stopped right in front of the wall.
On the wall, a sentence was written: 'Are you the one who raped me? If so, I will take your life right here.'
"Khaakkk!!!" "Khakkk!!" the unknown creature's voice sounded.
Beelzebub turned his head back. A creature with a very strange anatomy slowly emerged from the fog.
The creature appeared before Beelzebub. Its form was now clearly visible, with only its head and legs bound with rubber bands.
"Khakk!!"
The creature approached Beelzebub.
"Are you one of the inhabitants of this place?"
The creature didn't answer Beelzebub's question. It continued to walk toward him.
"I see... perhaps this place will have to suffer some damage from me." Beelzebub raised his right hand. Then, he slammed it hard into the ground.
Suddenly, the ground around him cracked and caused a small tremor.
The thick fog began to slowly dissipate. Sunlight began to shine through. The surroundings returned to normal. Trees began to reappear.
Beelzebub thought for a moment. "Perhaps this planet is starting to develop its new defense system."
Without further ado, he immediately continued on his way.
[THE LEGEND OF SOLIVAGANT]
KINGDOM OF GORIZIA, MAY 18, 9:07 PM
Tonight, a violent storm was raging. Thunder rumbled everywhere. Strong winds were blowing southward.
Leonardo was seen walking alone in the forest, carrying no provisions or any means of transportation. He carried only his spear. He continued to walk against the storm—the heavy rain drenched his clothes, and the strong wind buffeted his robes.
Remembering, "Haa...? You want a Wyvern as a mount?" the man thought. "Very well then. How much are you willing to pay? Nothing in this world is free. That's what we call an equivalent exchange," he said with a condescending expression.
"Well... It can't be helped. People like that are the offspring of greedy rulers."
Leonardo continued walking through the chaotic storm.
"What's that?"
From a distance, a tiger carcass lay, slowly rotting. Oddly enough, the carcass was located in a fairly open area.
"No. No. No. I have to turn around." Leonardo immediately turned around. He looked for another path.
"Khaakk!"
Out of nowhere, suddenly there was a shrill sound from an unknown creature. The sound seemed to be coming from deep within the forest.
Leonardo hid among the trees.
The creatures emerged. There were not just one, but three. They were a pack of Wyverns, waiting for food by tricking their prey with a tiger carcass.
He glanced at them. "You mindless animals. No wonder the dragons are ahead of you." He threw his spear forward. The sound of the spear drew the Wyverns' attention.
Leonardo moved away from the pack of Wyverns.
"Of course I wouldn't lose my spear so easily." Leonardo raised his hand. From the void—the spear was back in Leonardo's hand.
After that, Leonardo continued walking, looking for a shortcut. Now, he was very far from the Wyverns' nest.
"Kyaahhh!!" a girl's scream rang out loudly not far from Leonardo.
"What else?..." he searched for the source of the voice.
"What do you want?! I told you I don't have any money to pay you!" the girl complained, her arms scratched. Her clothes were torn, revealing her body.
"Have you forgotten? If money can't pay, then..." he glared at the girl with a lewd smile. "Your body is mine now."
Leonardo peered from a distance. It was clear that the girl was being abused by a goblin.
The goblin removed his animal-skin pants.
"Look... look at my big penis!" he silenced the girl, rendering her unable to speak or move.
"Experience the pleasures of this world—"
The goblin's expression suddenly went blank.
He looked down at his genitals.
He discovered that they had been pierced by a spear.
"The thing I hate most is... the harassment of innocent women." Leonardo immediately cleaved the goblin with his spear.
The goblin was split in two.
Leonardo stared at the goblin's corpse, biting his lip.
He turned to the girl.
The girl was still terrified.
"You... what's your name?" Leonardo asked coldly and with a flat expression.
The girl was still hesitant to say a word. She was still deeply frightened by what had happened to her earlier.
"Ha..." Leonardo sighed. "I guess I have to convince you."
Leonardo approached the girl. This made the girl try to move away from him, despite her injured body.
"Hmm...? What can I do?" Leonardo moved his hand to the girl's arm. Healing it. The scratch had disappeared.
The girl seemed unable to believe what she had just seen. Her eyes began to sparkle, indicating a hint of trust in Leonardo.
"So... tell me. What's your name?"
The girl began to speak, "My... my..." her lips trembling. She was still afraid.
She slowly overcame her fear, and then, "M-my name is... Alessia." She was still frightened and covered her face.
"Alessia? I'm Leonardo."
Alessia raised her head. The name 'Leonardo' sounded familiar. She felt as if she had heard it many times before.
"Y-y-you..." her eyes turned to Leonardo. "Are you the Solivagant?"
"Haa...?" Leonardo's eyes widened.
"Is... that true?" Alessia asked with a hopeful look.
"So there are still people who remember me. Huh... How strange. It's been over 176 years. I thought everyone had forgotten me," Leonardo said, disappointed.
"Why do you look so disappointed? You're the 'Legend'. You're the one who saved Italy from the brink of destruction."
"Forget it. You'll catch a cold like that."
Leonardo wrapped his cloak around Alessia's body.
"I have a carriage nearby. Don't worry. It has a canopy that will protect us from this storm," Alessia said.
"Then... lead me to your carriage."
Alessia nodded. She then directed Leonardo to the carriage.
Leonardo looked up at the moon. "Even in these conditions, the winds of the future are still blowing."
Leonardo was lost in thought, his thoughts wandering elsewhere. And then—
The moon turned pale yellow.
Not slowly, nor like an eclipse.
Just 0.1 seconds.
As quick as the blink of an eye.
The light returned to its original white, but Leonardo frowned.
Something was strange…
Not the moon, but the sudden feeling that squeezed his chest, as if all the air around him had momentarily vanished.
His gaze remained fixed on the sky.
For some reason, he felt as if someone—or something—had just stared back at him.
"What's wrong? Is something strange?" Alessia asked, puzzled by Leonardo's behavior.
"Nothing. Let's continue."
They continued walking.
In no time, they finally arrived at the carriage. It was exactly as Alessia had said.
"Get in. I'll drive," Alessia ordered.
Leonardo immediately got into the carriage. Inside, there were a multitude of fresh spices in jars.
Alessia climbed into the front seat. "Sit down. You can rest there."
Leonardo sat down.
Alessia began to drive the carriage.
The carriage moved at a moderate pace (trotting).
"What did you do to get caught by a goblin like that?" Leonardo asked curiously.
"He was originally after the spices I was carrying. But... because I insisted on refusing him, he scratched my arm. I was so scared that I ran off into the forest."
"So that's it. Um... Are you a merchant?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Really? It's rare for a girl your age to want to earn money by trading. Especially in conditions like these. By the way... how old are you?"
"I'm 18 now."
"Are you still in school?"
"You could say so."
"Hmm..." Leonardo looked into Alessia's eyes.
TO BE CONTINUED