Chapter 54
Chapter 54
Chapter 54.
Within Gusian's illusion, any sentient being that screamed or begged for mercy would have its soul devoured.
It meant becoming the demon's thrall.
Nor could one break—even if freed from the illusion, they'd be left a vegetable.
Siron neither submitted to the demon nor had her mind shattered.
Like a true Valkyrie, she chose death.
In truth, her choice was one way to escape the illusion.
The other was to endure like Aiden—but that was practically insane.
The agony Gusian inflicted far surpassed any human's limits.
The Holy Guards witnessed every moment.
The torture Aiden and Siron endured was but a drop in the ocean of the demon's cruelty.
Gusian was indeed a monster that fed on screams.
Yet Aiden endured it all without so much as a flicker in his expression.
When bundles of veins tore out his eardrums, it was the Holy Guards whose faces twisted in horror.
But they didn't look away. Though they couldn't help, they owed them at least this much witness.
The Holy Guards felt genuine reverence for the young paladin.
Siron's eyes, having shared his suffering, held awe.
They stared blankly at Aiden, who had blown the Grand Duke's head clean off.
They couldn't even bring themselves to ask if he was alright.
Aiden glanced at the Holy Guards.
"You've suffered enough. It's over."
Yet he was the same as ever. As if nothing had happened. For a moment, they wondered if he was truly human like them.
Siron, lost in thought, approached Aiden with a solemn expression.
She performed the Vachentes-style sword salute. Though unarmed, she bowed her head in abbreviated form.
"Valkyrie Siron. I wish to serve the Divine as your sworn blade. Grant me this honor."
Aiden looked down at her.
Frankly, he'd thought she'd likely break. But she chose death over submission or collapse.
That spoke of an unshakable core.
Moreover, her combat prowess was exceptional. Young, with great potential—and above all, she was a Named One.
Aiden had no reason to refuse.
He nodded.
"Do as you wish."
If Zeras objected, that would be that—but he'd likely hand her over willingly.
No concrete reason. Just a feeling.
Siron beamed at him.
"Until my dying breath, I'll stand by your side."
Aiden gave her shoulder a light tap before scanning their surroundings.
"First, let's find a boat."
Swimming was an option, but even a small sailboat would make the return far easier.
A rowboat would do. Siron pointed toward the distant shore.
Jude and Gott couldn't see it, but Aiden could.
"I'll fetch it."
Siron dashed off, returning with a small wooden boat balanced on her head.
Tossing it onto the water sent up a spray.
They boarded, with Aiden manning the oars. The sooner they left, the better.
Looking back at the receding Duchy.
Unending screams. The city, engulfed in towering flames, was a living hell.
The moment the floating isle touched ground, the Duchy's fate would be sealed.
Aiden silently watched.
The Holy Guards gazed at his back.
The hero who had wiped away countless tears. His silhouette shone more nobly than any other.
They acknowledged it—this was a feat worthy of Paedyna's Records.
*The nine-tailed fox, Saya, piled human corpses into mountains.
Remnants of the Duchy pursued Aiden—the Ducal Guard and disciples of Archmage Kadak.
They seemed unaware the Grand Duke was already dead.
But such details meant nothing to Saya.
Her heart ached unbearably. One of the worst pains in her life—and like all others, it stemmed from Aiden.
She'd watched him suffer.
Unbearable to witness, yet she couldn't intervene.
Aiden detested her interfering in his battles.
Always had.
"Grow stronger," he'd say, fighting alone even in true mortal peril—never illusions.
This time was no different. Shattering the illusion might have irreparably damaged their already strained bond.
She couldn't rely on her charm either.
For some reason, Aiden resisted the nine-tailed fox's enthrallment—a power that eternally bound those who shared affection.
Saya sighed softly, surveying the corpses.
Slaughtering all the vermin chasing Aiden hadn't eased her mood.
Only by visiting upon the Archdemon Gusian what he'd done could she purge this emotion.
She repeated the name like a mantra.
Impossible now, but with a few more tails, she could tear him apart.
To that end, reconciling with Aiden was urgent. Mingling with others disgusted her more than death.
Saya crouched, hugging her knees.
She longed desperately for Aiden's warm tone and gaze.
A side of him reserved solely for her—known only to her.
Her lonely eyes reflected in a pool of blood. The face staring back.
"Monster bitch." Words left by a lover turned foe a year ago. The day warmth froze over.
She buried her face in her knees.
"Forgive me just once. Please."
*From eastern to central regions spanned over a week's hard ride, yet news of the Duchy's fall had already reached the Holy Empire.
Spies had dispatched messenger hawks.
Visiting the Land of Screams to retrieve warhorses, they witnessed a sight beyond belief.
The floating isle that once overshadowed the imperial palace was gone. The Sleepless City had long drowned in darkness, its oppressed masses fleeing.
The city, erupting with screams and explosions, truly lived up to its name.
Though details were unclear, they reported the gist to the Holy Empire.
Days later, the Holy Scriptures glowed, resuming their record.
Monks gasped mid-study.
The abbot read Aiden's saga to orphans.
Imperial scribes transcribed history. Central officials moved swiftly—political calculations underway.
Bards spread the hero's epic to scripture-less frontiers. Children's authors rushed to adapt it—the original too grim for young readers.
The mermaid Yona clicked her tongue; Deril and Yuron snorted. They wanted to read thoroughly but Geiran's scolding stopped them.
Yuriel swallowed relief at Aiden's safety. Crossing herself repeatedly, she blessed him from afar. Above all, she missed him terribly.
Tegain and Zeras received the news.
They sat facing each other in the office.
Tegain's booming laughter echoed.
"Is he not the very image of a grand hero? Once again, he's surpassed all expectations. No—that feels inadequate. Inquisitor, what phrasing would you suggest?"
Zeras set down his teacup, smiling contentedly.
"He single-handedly toppled a nation. I lack the words to describe what history itself cannot record. Your Eminence."
Tegain chuckled.
"Quite so. An achievement even ancient heroes never accomplished. I'm at a loss for suitable rewards."
He stroked his beard.
"Hmm... He shows no interest in promotions. Nothing comes to mind."
"Generous support, then. And clearing his path so no filth may splatter him. As you know, heroes' ends are often wretched. We mustn't let history repeat."
Epics always ended tragically.
For many reasons—politics chief among them.
Most became pawns or fell to corruption themselves.
Zeras would never allow such an ending.
Judging the archbishop before him as deeply political, he aimed to preempt it.
Tegain did feel some regret—but fundamentally agreed.
The cardinal smiled faintly.
"I must take care hellfire doesn't singe me too. But fret not. I too respect Aiden. I've no intention of breaking his will, whatever he chooses."
Zeras nodded, shifting topics.
"Though 'reward' feels inadequate—as he's now head of a sacred lineage, we must bestow an official surname and establish a Holy Domain."
Current sacred lineages descended from scripture-recorded heroes.
Paedyna's Records having recognized Aiden as a hero, the Empire owed him corresponding honors.
With most opposition purged, no resistance remained.
Aiden was founding patriarch of a new sacred lineage.
Tegain suddenly snapped his fingers.
"The Duchy shall be his Holy Domain."
Just as Arhan and Elpis's palaces stood where they achieved glory—north and abyss—so too would Aiden's domain match his feat.
Though Atlantis's liberation began the records, its ruin made it irrelevant.
Zeras pondered briefly.
The Duchy would soon become the Empire's front line.
Bordering the demonic lands, it would naturally serve as the forward base for reclaiming holy sites.
Geographically pivotal—but also most dangerous. Aiden's will mattered most.
Zeras spoke.
"He'll return within days. We'll ask him then."
Tegain nodded.
"Very well. Settled within the month?"
"Preparations are already complete."
No reason remained to delay conquering the Duchy.
The forest giants were extinct; the demonic principality's defenses obliterated.
Deploy troops, sweep up remnants, and claim it.
The moment messenger hawks arrived, Tegain mobilized forces.
Zeras rose, approaching the door.
"The commander awaits."
Turning the knob revealed an elderly knight in full holy armor.
"Enter."
The knight strode in, bowing to Tegain.
"Shield Division Commander of the Grand Cathedral Knights, Paladin Kailan. At your service, Your Eminence."
Tegain smiled, pleased with Zeras's arrangements.
He regarded the paladin.
"Yours is no small role. I await good results."
Standard words. A leisurely campaign to hunt heretics would suffice.
Aiden had already done the hard work.
The paladin saluted.
"As the Divine Blade, I shall execute sublime judgment."
Tegain nodded.
"Very well. All dismissed—I must attend His Holiness."
By tradition, sacred lineage surnames were bestowed by the pope through divine revelation. Not to be decided lightly.
All departed to their duties.
*Excerpt from Paedyna's Records:
『The hero declared: "Where I walk, the wealthy shall reunite in hell."
—Vacheksar Calendar Year 378. New Testament Scriptures, Gospel of Aiden 24:1.』