Chapter 93

Inside the village, outsiders who were trapped had some who quietly waited for the situation to calm down while others actively moved around trying to grasp the situation. There was no shortage of movement.

It was the job of the village Security Patrol to mediate and stop such chaos, but they too were at a loss on what to do.

In this case, it was nothing short of a miracle that the situation didn’t escalate into a riot, thanks to the swift intervention by the manpower from the Edenlevan Legion Branch.

“Much obliged.”

“…What kind of disaster is this because we let in the wrong person?”

A female Daemon with blue skin, Luslan from the Edenlevan Legion Branch, was making sure communication with the security officers remained smooth just in case.

The two stood side by side at the entrance of the branch building, watching the commotion inside the village against the backdrop of an empty town, each filled with their own emotions.

Since this tragedy was caused by remnants of the Demon King’s army—those openly called leftover Daemons—a misstep could easily tarnish the Edenlevan Legion as well.

To those blinded by hatred, the distinction between the legion and the remnants of the Demon King’s forces might not matter much.

‘How one wants to believe is what matters most.’

After all, instead of blaming an unstoppable enemy, weaker beings instinctively want someone weaker to take the blame, even if they endure silently.

Not that these people are truly weak, but oppressing them isn’t right either, is it?

Earlier in the morning, a few men tried to attack Carriel but were killed by soldiers following a Demon Army General.

Currently, they’ve set up a small temporary camp near the village entrance.

Because of this, no one can easily escape through the entrance.

Even if they manage to leave without their belongings, those who came here with nothing could perhaps slip away…

“Because of this incident, rumors are bound to spread among local merchants.”

“Well, the Lord will probably intervene somehow… But you never know. It might turn out alright.”

As the guard trailed off regretfully, Luslan briefly considered how to handle the aftermath from the perspective of a ruler.

“At least we’re in Metran; otherwise, even we might have been falsely accused and killed or hanged simply for being Daemons.”

“Would it really go that far?”

“Yes. Quite possibly. But here, thanks to Grandeous-sama, it’s one of the few countries where escaped Daemons from the Demon King’s army can peacefully join the human alliance. Many have benefited from this arrangement, so resentment here is relatively shallow.”

Grandeous defeating Ruelde isn’t the only reason Metran symbolizes him.

He has influenced many places, starting with Metran.

Even in situations prone to conflict, he managed to bring peace through unity, thanks largely to his overwhelming presence.

Even brute force couldn’t easily challenge him when he was around.

“So it seems even the son of the Great Warrior, who saved the world, must be going through quite a bit of hardship.”

Surprisingly, the guard wasn’t hurling insults at him.

“Aren’t you resentful? He is considered the main culprit behind this situation, after all?”

When Luslan asked,

“There would be lying if I said there was no resentment, but honestly, it should be the opposite. We should be grateful… But right now, people likely don’t care about that. I grew up hearing those tales since childhood, but not everyone did. And Luslan-san, aren’t you getting flak for your branch accepting him?”

“That’s something I need to accept. It’s a fact.”

Perhaps.

This situation might not actually be due to the descendant of the Great Warrior.

Maybe the last general of the Daemons originally had another purpose for coming here?

And then upon arriving, found the heir of the Great Warrior?

Could that be possible?

“What a coincidence, huh?”

After speaking, the guard seemed dissatisfied and clicked their tongue softly.

Luslan prayed aloud,

“Whatever happens, I hope things work out well.”

“I thought for sure there’d be trouble when everyone rushed towards the Chapel of Irene’s Order. But seeing them dismantle it right before my eyes, I realized they’re truly capable.”

“Did you see it yourself?”

“From afar.”

That person stood out immediately.

Even though he looked like a mere child compared to her,

his every move from the moment he appeared until he enforced his will was nothing short of spectacular.

“Are all descendants of warriors like that?”

“I don’t know.”

Whether it’s due to inheritance or innate greatness—or both—

only they themselves would know.

“But yesterday, the rat packs were restless, yet strangely, not a single cat was seen. The chickens didn’t crow today either?”

“Oh, now that you mention it…”

“It turns out they were all dead. Without any prior signs. Their owners were devastated. Some people are worried it might be an epidemic.”

“Such a thing?”

By nature, animals’ instincts respond quicker than humans’ intuition during major events.

Though she hadn’t witnessed it herself, she recalled her colleagues and surroundings mentioning strange omens.

‘Perhaps.’

The crisis may not have even begun yet.

Or maybe multiple disasters are overlapping.

On the other hand,

these situations are intertwining precisely at the overlapping point.

====

Just by blocking the entrance and preventing signals, the village becomes effectively abandoned.

Even if a signal fire were lit, it would still take more than half a day for the Lord to gather troops and rush here.

Moreover, this place is deep within Metran, so threats from outside forces are minimal, resulting in a meager militia force for maintaining order.

Once proud warriors and soldiers regardless of gender, they’ve become woefully weak in the present day.

Unconditional peace erodes even the strongest spirits like this.

“It’s time.”

Barg headed toward the village entrance.

Some followed him while others stayed behind to tidy up the barracks.

Regardless, their business here was almost complete.

Even as remnants of the Demon King’s army walked freely, no one dared to oppose them.

Most villagers were indoors, leaving the surrounding area eerily empty, but Barg climbed the stairway path as if it mattered not.

His target was that place from earlier.

If he went alone, it would take mere seconds, but bringing subordinates along served both as a show of force and a way to instill pride.

Even if he dies, this scene will reach his comrades through the survivors’ eyes and ears.

‘…If we survive?’

Why assume that?

Pausing momentarily, he glanced skyward.

“General?”

“This is odd.”

It’s quiet.

Wherever humans dwell, animals and insects inevitably follow.

Yet, none of those sounds can be detected here.

‘Something.’

Strange.

But it’s too late to retreat now.

‘A trap?’

Something feels different, but…

“Proceed.”

Still, he must confirm.

There’s much he needs to ask.

Of Carriel.

And those orchestrating this situation.

And the decisions the overseers observing from afar will make.

He was very curious.

‘How far does your arrangement extend, exactly?’

The Demon King of Wisdom.

The first thing that comes to mind is gold.

A wolf or fox shaped like gold.

But what stands out even more clearly is…

…the vast Golden Land.

It remains vivid.

Mountains, rocky cliffs, deserts, icebergs—all formed from gold in perfect harmony and freedom.

Yet, the sea remained untouched.

Why was that?

A trivial question, perhaps.

But he deeply regrets not asking it back then.

Now, it’s an answer he’ll never obtain.

====

“Uh, are you really okay with this?”

Carriel didn’t draw his sword.

To onlookers, it seemed he merely gripped the hilt of his sword for a brief moment, as if praying, before letting go as if having no regrets.

The spectators, whether watching out of curiosity, surveillance, or other reasons, quickly turned their expectations into disappointment.

“…”

At Leo’s question, Carriel gave a slight nod.

To break through the current crisis, using that—even if somehow achieved—would only be a compromise.

It’s tantamount to surrender.

Anyone watching might call it pointless pride or stubbornness, but there’s nothing to be done about it.

I dislike it, and it doesn’t wish to be drawn either.

Above all, drawing it would require sealing a pact, which is absurd.

“The divination was extremely ominous.”

Turning to Leo, who had returned to the group after stepping back from Carriel, Deyk grimly adjusted his cap, reminding everyone of the looming anxiety.

“It’s not just about life and death.”

Luciri snorted.

“Another panic attack. If dying isn’t a big deal, then what is?”

“…”

Louilin remained calm but appeared somewhat dazed.

Leo, concerned about her demeanor, asked,

“Are you alright?”

“Ah, me? Yes, I’m fine.”

Her mentor, Carriel, clearly wasn’t fine.

He looks unstable even standing.

However, time is running out for him now.

With the aid knights gone,

he’s undeniably alone.

And over there,

those who have just ascended to the 4th tier via the staircase,

are unmistakably hostile toward him.

Barg stopped ten steps away and asked emotionlessly,

“Were you hesitating to draw it until I arrived?”

“No.”

Despite his strained appearance, the arrival of the enemy seemed to change something.

His aura shifted dramatically.

Carriel responded quietly to Barg’s question,

“If I do?”

“It’s not mine.”

“…So you won’t draw it? Or can’t?”

“Think what you will.”

“Highly disappointing.”

So, you were a fool as well.

Barg, who had already engaged his soldiers, once again grasped his pitch-black spear.

“In that case.”

His figure disappeared, leaving only a shadow stretching long toward Carriel.

Like an arrow fired straight, it traversed distance and space instantly.

Before the onlookers could react or turn their heads,

Barg had already reached Carriel.

“!!”

But.

…

The one to first create distance by slowly stepping back was Barg.

“What trickery is this?”

Carriel’s extended sword—

the one-handed blade given by Ellie—remained perfectly straight.

Had Barg closed the gap recklessly, he would have been skewered.

No, that premise is strange.

Who would willingly throw themselves into an extended blade?

“…”

Carriel looked like he wanted to click his tongue.

But lacking the energy, it seemed like he sighed instead.

“…”

Something changed.

Something different happened.

But it’s unclear what.

Compared to the initial impression, this flame seems ready to extinguish at any moment.

Yet, for some reason,

it doesn’t seem easy to put out.

====

-The rambling black light from the sword is a problem for later. What’s important now isn’t that.

After all, it’s a situation where death or collapse is imminent.

-Your current state is completely drained, so you’re more susceptible to external influences than before.

Even a gentle breeze feels like it could slice through flesh.

Carriel’s body and senses are in a catastrophic state beyond words.

-Use everything at maximum capacity. Even so, you’re far inferior to an average human now, riddled with flaws.

Still, you have techniques left.

Skills remain.

An optimized body for them still exists.

Though it has never been fully refined or completed.

-With everything emptied out now, paradoxically, you might be able to unleash everything. Sensory aspects I’ll temporarily awaken for you. Physical limitations mean nothing now, so consider them all lifted.

Even so,

-Tension lost and even minor physical control failures? Your heartbeats could cause internal devastation. That’s how bad your condition is.

Most importantly,

-Although the element isn’t favorable, precisely because of that, it could be argued that the conditions are highly compatible now. Don’t forget your specialty.

What you need to do from here is,

-Focus entirely on your opponent.

And that,

is your forte, isn’t it?

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