Chapter 204
Chapter 204
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 204
Chapter Title: Heroes to Derhan
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No hero present here was unaware of the Derhan Kingdom.
They had all memorized the continent's geography during basic training.
And after Aier's declaration of war, it had become even more impossible to ignore.
Rumors had spread far and wide that Derhan had opened the way for Aier.
But heading to Derhan for training?
Most heroes felt uneasy, fearing they'd get dragged into the war for no reason.
Not everyone felt that way, though.
The sharper ones had immediately grasped the Empire's intentions the moment they heard the training site was Derhan.
"This can't be, can it?"
Gye Soo-ji was one of those sharp ones.
She gaped at Seo Woo-jin, her expression asking if her guess was right.
"Probably."
Seo Woo-jin nodded.
Then Lee Ji-ah cut in.
"What's 'can't be'? And what's probably right?"
She tilted her head, clearly not understanding their reactions.
"The Empire plans to use us as a breakwater."
Gye Soo-ji said cautiously.
"Huh?"
"They're planting us along Aier's invasion route to deter the war."
Lee Ji-ah's eyes widened at Gye Soo-ji's words.
"No way, that makes no sense! Use us for that?"
Deter? This was just turning them into a human barricade!
If they actually got swept into a war like that, how would they handle the fallout?
Lee Ji-ah glared at Yorn, her face flushing red with anger at being used.
"It'll be fine, so don't worry too much."
Seo Woo-jin stepped in to calm her.
"How can I not worry? What if, even just barely possible, we get caught in that war?"
It was different from dimensional wars.
In a war between nations, they'd have to kill people like themselves.
And without their consent, no less.
Given the heroes' power, it would undoubtedly turn into a one-sided massacre.
Lee Ji-ah wanted no part in something like that.
"What you're worried about won't happen. We just go, hunt monsters, level up, and focus on that."
"How can you be sure?"
This time, Gye Soo-ji asked.
She harbored the same fears as Lee Ji-ah.
"Hmm..."
Seo Woo-jin pondered how to respond.
He couldn't say he'd resolve everything before Aier acted up, so he needed another reason.
"Aier will think twice. If they touch us, that country is done for. Why would they?"
This was exactly what the Empire hoped for.
Aier confirming the heroes' presence and turning back without attacking.
"You really think so?"
Gye Soo-ji looked skeptical.
She knew wars didn't always play out so neatly in theory.
"It will. Definitely."
Seo Woo-jin replied with conviction.
*'Because I'll make it so.'*
At his firm answer, Gye Soo-ji hesitated briefly before nodding.
She figured there must be a reason he said it like that.
"If Woo-jin says so, then it must be."
Considering everything he'd shown so far, she could trust him this time too.
"So don't worry."
He reassured Lee Ji-ah once more.
"Is the chit-chat over?"
Yorn spoke up, looking their way.
The heroes' attention focused on them.
"Ah, yes. Sorry."
Seo Woo-jin shrugged and replied, and Yorn smiled in satisfaction before continuing with the training plans.
How much time passed like that?
The heroes set off for Derhan, hearts filled with anxiety and anticipation.
* * *
"Philoyan has returned?"
Mardetain finished his meal upon hearing Bishop Miteon's report.
"He's preparing to pay respects to His Holiness the Holy King right away."
"You've had a hard journey."
He'd declared war on the Empire.
Returning safely without capture was fortunate enough.
"And Lupera?"
"The Cardinal is also preparing to meet His Holiness with Bishop Philoyan."
Mardetain shook his head.
"Preparing? Tell them to come now."
"But..."
This wasn't a suitable place to meet bishops.
"Do we have the luxury for such formalities?"
They needed to hear the Empire's situation from Philoyan as soon as possible.
"I was short-sighted."
Miteon bowed apologetically and promptly summoned Philoyan and Lupera.
"We pay respects to His Holiness the Holy King."
Philoyan knelt rigidly, paying formal obeisance to Mardetain.
"I've heard the gist. Mission failed?"
It wasn't a rebuke.
No, his expression was filled with goodwill.
He'd never cared much about stealing the egg from Sky Tower to begin with.
He'd only pretended to comply because the emissary asked.
"Losing the 'Saintess' is regrettable."
This was sincere.
He'd planned so much around her, and it all went up in smoke.
But he wasn't disappointed.
Her death allowed him to inflict more damage than all those plans combined.
"Please execute me, Your Holiness."
Thud-!
Philoyan slammed his forehead to the ground, begging forgiveness.
"Lift your head."
Of course, Mardetain had never considered killing Philoyan.
*'Why kill such a loyal slave? Use him until he's spent.'*
Hiding his sinister thoughts, he commanded again.
"Lift your head and look at me, Philoyan."
Only then did Philoyan raise his head.
Blood trickled from his forehead.
"Tch."
Mardetain clicked his tongue and flicked his hand.
Pure holy power flowed out, healing the wound in an instant.
He could see Philoyan's face fill with emotion.
"The mission's failure and losing the 'Saintess' is unfortunate. But you matter more to me. Don't damage your body so recklessly."
"...I shall obey."
Philoyan looked ready to weep.
Mardetain quickly continued, not wanting to see an old man's tears.
"However, I cannot forgive the Empire for daring to scorn our kingdom, heirs to the gods' will."
"The gods think the same."
Philoyan and Miteon cried out together.
"So we shall hold the Empire accountable. At that time, redeem all your sins."
"I shall show that arrogant Empire the gods' will clearly."
Philoyan replied with a resolute expression, as if he were a divine apostle.
"Go. Punishing the Empire requires much preparation."
"We obey."
Philoyan and Miteon left, faces ecstatic as if receiving a divine oracle.
Now only Lupera remained, standing silently without a word.
Mardetain narrowed his eyes at her.
"Explain."
His voice was utterly different now.
Mercy and kindness gone, only madness and killing intent remained.
Lupera flinched but spoke.
"The Sword Sage already knew."
"...Martes?"
"I couldn't figure out how. But she seemed to anticipate Your Holiness's plans too."
Martes had clearly told her to relay 'stop here' to the Holy King.
Lupera couldn't shake the thought that Martes knew everything.
"That old mage is turning into more of a monster by the day."
Since reaching the superhuman realm, Mardetain had occasionally felt near-prophetic hunches.
But Sky Tower's monster surpassed that.
He might truly read the future.
"The mission failed because of that monster, but what of the 'Saintess'?"
"...A hero named Seo Woo-jin severed her neck."
"Seo Woo-jin?"
Mardetain tilted his head.
Then he clapped his hands.
"The one who's thwarted our plans before."
It wasn't once or twice.
Everything involving Seo Woo-jin had gone wrong or failed.
Three Apostles dead, even the young dragon unable to escape death.
He couldn't not know the name Seo Woo-jin.
"The emissary seemed quite concerned. I'll look into him closely."
"I shall."
Lupera replied, and Mardetain nodded.
"The Empire's response?"
Days had passed since the declaration of war.
The Empire showed no visible reaction.
They were probably busy behind the scenes, but no overt moves yet.
Not even mustering troops.
"They seem to plan using the heroes."
"...Heroes?"
Mardetain frowned.
"Surely they can't use those in a human war?"
The Empire's fools wouldn't dare use heroes for national defense.
Yet using heroes?
"Heard they're sending them to Derhan for training."
That was before leaving the Empire, returning to Aier.
The last rumor she'd heard.
"What? Hahaha!"
He instantly grasped the Empire's aim.
"Looks like it came from Agna's head."
Fitting for Crusiel's leader.
Dispatching heroes to Derhan would make it hard for Aier to advance easily.
But that applied only if the Holy King were an ordinary human.
"This is our chance to clean up the priests and thin the heroes' numbers."
Mardetain was no ordinary human.
A Demon King's follower.
One of the monsters leading the world's destruction.
To such a Mardetain, heroes' deterrence meant nothing.
"Can't strike the Empire directly, but reducing heroes is reward enough."
His lips split into a long grin.
Too grotesque for a human smile.
"Lupera."
"Command me."
"Tell the emissary there's a good chance to cut down heroes' numbers. We need support."
Ordinary knights and soldiers, no matter how many, couldn't handle heroes.
Not when there were 98 of them.
They needed weapons capable of facing heroes.
"I'll relay it immediately."
As Lupera turned to go, Mardetain's voice stopped her.
"Ah, pass word to that insolent wench in the annex too."
"...May I know who?"
Anyone Mardetain described that way had to be one of the Apostles.
"Jenonia. That mad bitch is in Aier."