Chapter 309
Chapter 309
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP.65 – The Knight Remembers and Repays (3)
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Clang, claaang-.
Lee Han struck the bell once more.
In the south, most were inner bells with clappers attached, but this was a rare outer bell struck with an iron hammer or wooden mallet.
Rusted here and there and utterly unremarkable in appearance, yet its sound was clearer and carried farther than any other bell.
It was impossible to dismiss the resonance of that mere bell toll as insignificant; the sound was more beautiful than any instrument, cleansing the ears, washing away the stuffy, dizzy haze in one's mind with crystalline clarity.
The toll seemed to seep into the body itself, and at some point, vitality began to overflow.
"…The Song of the Stars."
Was there someone versed in archaeology or theology?
Someone who recognized the identity of the ringing holy relic exclaimed in astonishment, uttering its name.
One of the temple's ten great holy relics—and a top-tier one recorded even in the Mythic Age, despite its unassuming exterior.
It was said that hearing its toll could even redeem fallen souls.
"-Mahaprajnaparamita Hridaya Sutra, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's practice of Prajnaparamita-."
As if proving the legend true, with each toll of the bell, the demonic energy that had pierced to the marrow vanished, and as the mysterious prayer joined in, the resonance of the Song of the Stars grew ever more solemn, calming the heart.
[Stop! I said stop!!]
In contrast, as the bell's toll and prayer spread, the demon writhed in agony.
It let out a hideous shriek, as if the torment was unbearable.
Yet that hideous roar no longer tormented them.
Though still a dreadful voice, thanks to the bell and prayer, there was no disturbance at all.
Then.
Clang-.
"Take good care of this."
"M-Master…."
Lee Han stopped the prayer and the ringing, setting the bell on the ground, but it continued to sing.
According to legend, it would sing endlessly as long as the ringer remained conscious—a historic sight proving the tale true.
Swoosh-.
However, Lee Han didn't know the bell's identity.
He had only heard how to use it; he had no interest in its history or value.
Even if he knew the historic value of the Song of the Stars, his attitude probably wouldn't change.
Because.
"…Just hold on until we catch that bastard."
Clang-.
If it meant capturing that filthy demon, he would use any ancient relic or whatever.
Lee Han pulled a long cloth from his bosom and began wrapping it around his fist.
Firmly, like boxing hand wraps.
But proving it no ordinary cloth, a faint light shimmered from it.
It looked like equipment prepared just for this moment,
And whoosh!
Clenching his fists glowing with soft white light like beacons in the dark, Lee Han kicked off high into the air…
Boom!
"Now for the real punch…!"
He closed the distance to the demon in an instant and drove his fist in.
Splat!
Cleanly enough to satisfy any onlooker.
Boom!
[Aaaah…!!]
With a scream of pain, the high demon plummeted to the ground.
Already suffering from the bell toll, the strike that pierced its torso sent the monstrous body crashing down.
But seeing this…
"No! You can't just punch a demon like that!"
The veteran knights, rich in demon combat experience, cried out in horror.
That knight's punch was admirable, but against a demon of all things!
It wasn't an exaggeration to say its body was made of deadly poison; touching it bare-handed was absolutely forbidden.
You needed at least a sword or spear soaked in holy water for over a hundred days, or your hand would rot away in an instant…
"…It's fine?"
"Why…?"
"??"
The knight who downed the demon had hands not just unscathed, but glowing faintly with white light, as if boasting their condition.
"Th-That must be a holy relic too."
"What the…."
Confirming the sacred cloth—or something close to a holy relic—wrapped around his fists, the veteran knights were dumbfounded.
They'd never heard of plain cloth that could strike a high demon unscathed, let alone a lesser one.
Was it blessed by a saint or saintess?
But more captivating than the cloth's marvel was,
Boom!
The sight of him pummeling the high demon with reckless abandon.
[Aaaah! St-Stop!!]
A pitiable wail.
It might look like endless bullying of a weakling, but that was a misunderstanding.
A being of evil.
Among them, a high demon drained and withered all life within dozens of kilometers just by existing.
Meeting its gaze or hearing its voice drove one mad; for humans, inevitable hallucinations and incurable diseases meant certain death.
Its very existence was a horror.
But now,
"The Song of the Stars is nullifying all the demon's mysteries in real time."
"Even the advantages of its body are useless now."
"It's the perfect counter."
The top-tier holy relic 'Song of the Stars' sang ceaselessly, purifying the demon's evil mysteries, while the sacred cloth on his hands thoroughly dismantled the demon's physical advantages.
A perfect攻略.
His rampage seemed tailored for this exact moment; it was no exaggeration to say this was the easiest demon subjugation they'd ever seen.
And in response…
"N-No!!"
Flash!
Ninshubur moved with blinding speed to aid her master.
'Why would the goddess choose such a form!'
That was a full manifestation of her soul; attacking it was like shooting arrows at an unarmored soldier.
In other words, true 'annihilation' was possible!
Of course, few could harm that form under normal circumstances, but this hero had devised ways to neutralize divine power and was striking the goddess.
At this rate, soon…
'I can't allow that!'
Ninshubur showed terrifying resolve, unwilling to lose her master.
Resolve to break through any foe,
Thud!!!
"Not happening."
"Your speed is impressive, but it's getting tiresome."
"Y-You bastards!!"
But some foes couldn't be breached by resolve alone.
Ninshubur charged with a howl, only for the two knights to block her thoroughly.
The exorcism had to proceed.
Boom-!
Smack!
He struck.
Boom!
Struck and struck, unleashing endless fists.
Crack!
Pouring his full body's power into each strike, he clenched his fist again fiercely.
Crunch!
To end this interminable battle with the vile spirit.
[Aaaah!]
As expected, the spirit's body was disgustingly tough.
Even with full-force punches, it only screamed in pain, enduring.
'Annoying bastard!'
[What about you! You annoying prick! Why do you keep interfering with me!!]
Reading his thoughts in an instant, the spirit shouted.
Its voice even carried a hint of grievance, and as if no illusion,
[I didn't harm you at all! My goal was only Mordred! So why! Why do you keep butting in! You're not involved! You're not even from this land! So why? Whyyy!? Why do you keep blocking me, getting in my way! Why attack me!!!]
The cry mixed grievance with curiosity.
He—Lee Han—truly had no ties to this land.
No connection to Wales, no debt to Mordred.
Just a brief stay of less than a month, forging shallow bonds.
Humans don't grow attached to a land or harbor lingering feelings from a mere month, treasuring it like home.
They'd dismiss it as fleeting at best.
…Yet Lee Han glared at Inanna like a blood-sworn enemy.
With iron resolve to eliminate her.
Reading this surface psyche, Inanna felt deeply wronged.
What madness drove him to corner her so?
To this heated reaction, he
"…What bullshit are you spouting!"
Splat!!
Answered with his fist.
[Kaaaah!]
- I know this is an impudent request.
Bzzzzt-.
- Still, you're the only one I can ask.
- …Lady Maid, stand up. Why kneel like that!
- I'm sorry. I've only been a burden….
[??]
Boom!
Bzzzzt-.
[…You? Yoooou…!?]
In an instant, Inanna cried out.
Each time she took Lee Han's strikes, she read his subconscious like visions, reacting with horror as if witnessing the unbelievable.
She had realized why this human attacked her so fiercely now, and rage boiled within Inanna.
[Just! Just because that old human knelt and begged, you oppose me! For that pathetic reason-!!]
Inanna glared wide-eyed, flapping her wings, unleashing a massive clump of demonic energy.
"-It's not 'just' any kneel."
Whoosh!
…But Inanna's demonic clump shattered futilely.
Leaving only the result of one wing torn off.
[Aaaaaah!]
Inanna screamed endlessly, but Lee Han's eyes burned more ferociously than ever as he spoke deliberately.
"-A man who wasted fifty years of his life solely to eliminate you knelt and begged. And that…."
Fwaaaah!
"…is a kneel so valuable you'd owe him change even after paying to erase scum like you, you nauseating demonic bitch!"
Petals scattered around Lee Han's body.