Chapter 172

Yeah.

It’s crystal clear even now.

That day’s scene.

A sight akin to a miracle, which is precisely what brought us to this day.

The darkness that claimed itself as human.

Its miraculous battle against the pure-white Military Deity.

Even though superiority was evident, it never fell—an endurance and struggle like no other. A marvel no warrior had ever dared to display.

And she—Heeba just stood there silently, holding her breath, watching, and watching some more.

====

[Is this the right direction?]

If we fly too high, the sun will fry us for sure.

The heat at noon is unbearable, while the calm frost after sunset makes you feel abandoned in the quiet cold.

After passing through the desert of gold sand, reaching this barren wasteland filled with red earth was fine—but it wasn’t the end.

Maybe because this place is still a desert.

The heat beyond normal and the starkly empty natural landscape would’ve worn anyone out trying to cross on foot already. Even riding on the back of a dragon, it’s tough… so how must those who trudged here step by painful step be feeling?

“Probably.”

We could’ve at least asked for advice from someone nearby, but since Ellie insisted without any basis that this way was correct, everyone believed her and moved forward.

While crossing the barren red desert-like wasteland.

A small forest came into view unnaturally filled with black shadows.

Around the forest flowed an ominous red light, its energy far from ordinary.

[Hey, something seems off, right?]

When the white dragon slowed down and pointed this out, Ellie softly replied.

“It’s not wrong. In fact, we’re exactly where we should be.”

Suddenly.

The black forest erupted with crimson light.

Thanks to instinctively spreading her wings to halt mid-air, the flash merely split the sky—but had we continued flying at the same speed, it surely would’ve engulfed them.

[This isn’t a joke!]

“Passing through?”

[Do you think that’s possible?!]

Indeed.

Out of nowhere, a giant two-headed sea monster appeared in the air.

Except for the heads, everything else was hidden under a black robe—but its size was nothing short of monstrous.

Appearing boldly in mid-air like that.

“Hohoho! Who’d have thought free meals would fall from a clear sky?! Guess evil deeds do pay off!”

Mad cries and voices followed.

Then suddenly, the two-headed beast noticed the pure-white woman riding the dragon.

“Huh?”

Did I see that wrong?

Why is she here of all places?

“Why are you here?”

Minette quickly recognized her too.

Now it was awkward for the two-headed beast.

“Uh, just passing through?”

Despite throwing out this half-hearted suggestion, before anyone could respond…

“…”

Suddenly, flames erupted across its torso without warning.

“Wha, whaaaat?! Whaaaaaat?!”

As if using its own flesh as kindling, the fire spread instantly, burning its entire body.

“What the heck is this?! What is THIS?!”

Again, a crimson beam shot straight toward the dragon.

Twisting sharply to dodge, the white dragon reluctantly descended.

Ellie immediately asked:

“Can we really just pass through?”

[My sixth sense screams: these were all warning shots. If they wanted to hit us, they would’ve done so already.]

“So?”

Seems like we need a conversation then.

Otherwise, why give us time to prepare?

Still…

“The rudeness of beasts with animal heads is unforgivable, no matter how lenient we might be.”

Especially demons. To us believers of Irene’s Doctrine, they’re marked for immediate extermination, total annihilation, and instant death.

“Sigh.”

Anyway, looks like everyone’s finally arrived.

Whenever things are about to resolve, obstacles always pop up, don’t they?

The group dismounted from the dragon, glaring at the black forest like they were ready for battle at any moment.

And soon enough, between the trees, a figure emerged…

“Delica?”

Recognized by Minette and known to both Ellie and Alesia, the young girl walked toward them without hesitation.

“I believe last time was quite an unintentional offense.”

“…”

Was Ellie provoking her with such words?

However, despite tasting humiliation, Ellie showed no visible emotion. Instead, Minette stepped forward.

Perhaps unsure what to say, Minette simply stared silently at Delica.

“I don’t know how things will turn out later, but for now, I believe unnecessary conflict and misunderstanding should be avoided. Hence, I arranged this somewhat forced meeting.”

“This kind of meeting?”

Ellie looked around.

“Our lord desires neither compromise nor negotiation. But he’ll do anything to get what he wants.”

“Lord?”

Dake felt suffocated just from the residual magical pressure flowing out of the black forest from afar. And it wasn’t just him—it seemed everyone felt the same.

“Grrr!”

Transforming into human form immediately, the white dragon began trembling, clearly sensing something ominous.

“Though humble, can we at least converse here?”

For someone so young, she was unusually brazen and calm.

Even knowing this could potentially be a life-or-death negotiation.

Especially after blocking their path and summoning demons.

“We know why you’ve come here. You’re looking for him, Carriel, right?”

“…”

“And we know his location.”

Unexpected? Unforeseen?

Should we raise our guard or thank fate for this unexpected luck?

What’s your intention? What’s your purpose behind all this….

“He was also my benefactor when I knew nothing back then.”

Delica glanced at Minette as she spoke. Her crimson eyes carried a gravity far beyond her age, tinged with a hint of cynicism.

“And understands more truths than anyone else.”

Moreover, Delica silently suspected—if not entirely certain—that he might be another form of someone she knows.

Too extreme differences in situations and circumstances made absolute confirmation impossible.

“There’s no point dragging this out. Just say what you want.”

“We partially know the future. And in the distant future, the Enzul family will fall, the lineage of Radiance will split into two, and one of them will merge into the Enzul family, taking over the imperial throne.”

“…”

An incredible story unfolded, leaving Dake visibly shaken among those nearby.

“…”

“Teacher?”

And.

Geoffrey, suppressing his presence while observing the black forest, realized the situation had reached a point of no return. As Hamren supported the swaying Geoffrey, Dake calmly questioned Delica.

“You talk about the lineage of Radiance. Are you saying the descendant of Warrior Ruelde will become royalty someday?”

“Yes. It happens in his grandson’s generation.”

“How do you know this if you haven’t personally traveled to the future?”

“I may not have seen it myself, but someone who has returned exists. I… passed away before then.”

Carriel said he wasn’t returning from the future to the past.

But Cain, his subordinate, friend, and comrade… still believes otherwise. Even their lord does.

“Our lord lost his father to the son of Warrior Ruelde.”

“…Carriel?”

“No, not him.”

Elimiun.

The hateful one.

The unforgivable one.

And.

In the Great Chaos Era, he’ll be called the second Radiant Knight, standing alongside the divine Ruelde, merging seven additional nations into the Empire.

Additionally, he’ll quell the invasion of the newly crowned Demon King with minimal casualties.

During this time, while Ruelde remains guarding the Middle Realm, Elimiun leads an assault into the Demon Realm, dismantling its very foundation.

Thus ends the Demon Realm forever.

Like the Demon King of Wisdom once did, for those who refuse to join Elimiun and the Human Union—or convert to Irene’s Doctrine—they face nothing short of catastrophe.

Although Delica herself wasn’t directly killed by him, indirectly, she might as well have been due to his actions. Splitting the Demon Tree, redefining laws, and utterly destroying the Demon Realm’s infrastructure turned it into a space unfit for any life form—not unless you count the foolish ones lingering in Hell or Limbo.

Like the current nine heroes. Like the great warriors. The upcoming Twelve Warriors whose legends will shine brighter than Ruelde’s, bringing unparalleled misfortune to their foes.

“…”

Back then, we barely managed to settle in the Demon Realm, ruling only minor territories like petty lords. Our own lord and many comrades struggled to survive, seeking revenge by gaining power at any cost—even forsaking our humanity. But look at the reality now.

Before absolute power, everything crumbles.

And it won’t be long until this future arrives.

He, Elimiun, has already been born.

“Princess of Berck, you yourself know well. Your lifespan, burdened by the shackles of your duties, isn’t long.”

“What?”

Dake approached Ellie, asking cautiously.

“El, is what that kid says true?”

“Hey! Spit it out! Is what this broad says true? Huh?!”

Even the white dragon, Bezestus, flew close, demanding answers.

“It’s nothing.”

Ellie neither denied nor confirmed.

“Your silence means it’s true, huh.”

Though seemingly accepting, Bezestus’ attitude clearly showed annoyance.

“If that’s true…”

Dake thought.

Once Ellie is gone, the opportunity will naturally return to Alesius.

And.

Unlikely as it may be, if Alesius also disappears, the Enzul family will truly falter, endangering the Empire itself.

The claim that the lineage of Radiance will succeed the Enzuls doesn’t seem far-fetched. With the current Emperor—why leave the imperial authority to a weak collateral line when adopting Ruelde’s bloodline as an adopted heir is more than sufficient? Or perhaps merging bloodlines in some other way.

“First things first. Let me correct a misconception.”

Ignoring the restless reactions of the two boys and the youth, Ellie looked straight down at Delica and said:

“I care little for thrones or power.”

“What?”

“Has this chick gone mad? What nonsense is this?!”

Not just Dake and Bezestus, but everyone listening behind was equally shocked.

Even.

“…Is that so?”

Delica herself was surprised. Having heard numerous tales of the Empress’s achievements during her brief reign, Delica found it hard to comprehend.

This person views power and authority merely as tools necessary to fulfill obligations. And her purpose rests solely on justice and righteousness.

…Which makes her incomprehensible.

How could someone suppress personal desires, practice abstinence, sacrifice themselves, and dedicate their life to others only to die eventually?

‘What kind of human is this?’

Does such a peculiar individual exist in this vast world?

And why is this particular person a princess, destined to become an empress?

What good karma did the Empire accumulate to encounter such a ruler willing to sacrifice themselves?

A ruler who doesn’t exploit their citizens for personal glory but instead sacrifices their own flesh for the nation? Does such a king or emperor even exist?

All this talk about the Empire, its people, citizens, and subjects sounds nice, but how could those in power endure constant self-sacrifice without benefit?

It defies logic.

No sensible human could possibly act this way.

“A nation, an empire, ultimately belongs to the royal family, doesn’t it?”

“Ownership doesn’t mean expendability.”

As if piercing through Delica’s intentions, Ellie shook her head.

“One cherishes what is theirs. And passes it intact to the next generation. Guiding them to value it properly is also an obligation and responsibility inherited from the previous generation.”

“…”

So, you and your parents… willingly handed over the position to Elimiun’s lineage without hesitation?

“Tsk.”

Tragic.

If only.

I were born in the Empire, not Faceulan. Would things have been different?

…This wretched, cursed life.

Tormented and crushed.

‘Meaningless.’

Speculating about ‘what ifs’ is the most pitiful and futile act.

“So for you, and those who share your ideals, the lineage of Radiance isn’t an internal enemy or rival in power struggles, nor a necessary evil for maintaining a strong state, is that it?”

“We’ve already saved the world once. Without proper gratitude, that’s just treacherous ingratitude.”

Valuing them in times of need, then neglecting, abandoning, mocking, and ignoring them when convenient…

“Forgetting gratitude once sets a precedent of historical guilt. Who would fight for the Empire or take pride in it then? If we establish such precedents, future generations will follow suit, mocking and disrespecting others using us as excuses. I, and she, don’t wish to sow seeds of sin in history and the Empire.”

“…”

Irrefutable truth. Yet most ignore and betray common sense anyway.

“I don’t know how much you understand about our affairs.”

And.

Listening beside, Dake immediately grasped it.

This gratitude includes not just Ruelde but Carriel as well.

Her involvement in this journey isn’t solely driven by infatuation but encompasses broader motives.

“I’ll consider mutual assistance. However, if you attempt to sow discord or deceive us with hollow words… there will be no second chance.”

No second chances.

Apparently, Ellie saw right through the attempt to use her as a test or tool to undermine the lineage of Radiance.

“It’s not manipulation but the truth. Still, if you offered it willingly with that intention… it might’ve sounded that way.”

Didn’t expect that.

Delica knew better than anyone how power-hungry rulers could be.

How many rulers had she manipulated into hanging themselves or drinking poison voluntarily?

Yet, dealing with rulers uninterested in power is the hardest task.

Such individuals, capable of crushing us with their authority anytime, are precisely those standing before us now.

“So difficult. The Empire is.”

Does this mean we truly must defeat Radiance ourselves?

Hard. Too hard.

At that moment.

Clanking metallic sounds echoed from the black forest.

A sudden silence fell.

The fragile peace shattered as the metallic sounds continued incessantly.

“So, you’ve finally arrived.”

Reacting as if expecting it, Ellie turned her gaze.

Through the dark shadows of the forest emerged a crimson-eyed, red-haired girl clad in black armor.

Ellie stared at her intensely.

Delica’s ability to speak freely was possible only thanks to ‘her.’

Who else but her stopped them mid-flight earlier?

…Who else?

-…….

Expressionless face.

Eyes vacant, scanning the surroundings calmly.

Though armor might seem awkward on her, it fits perfectly, almost as if it’s become part of her.

Everyone except Ellie immediately tensed upon her appearance.

“…!!!”

Man, it’s worse than I imagined!

Dake was already drenched in cold sweat.

Bezestus, looking even worse than Dake, crouched low, growling fiercely, appearing pitiful yet determined.

And Geoffrey and Hamren, despite having encountered her before, paled visibly as she approached.

“…”

Relatively composed, Minette remained calm.

And.

Holy Maiden Alesia felt an inexplicable lump in her throat, overwhelmed by a strange sensation.

‘Somehow…’

For reasons unknown.

Her heart raced wildly, incredibly so.

-……?

The girl, who had been staring at Ellie, suddenly shifted her gaze toward Alesia, scrutinizing her intently before tilting her head curiously.

-əθrav?

Moments later, an incomprehensible voice scraped through the air.

“??”

Delica’s expression, watching Lutesia’s reaction, collapsed just as quickly upon hearing her words.

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