Chapter 213
Chapter 213
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 213
Chapter Title: Oien's Defiance
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Only one person in Aier has the authority to make that decision.”
Oien replied with a voice brimming with conviction.
“Who’s that?”
“His Majesty the Holy King.”
No matter how great the power of the three archbishops or the cardinals below them, it didn’t matter.
There was only one absolute authority that led Aier.
It belonged to Holy King Mardetain.
“War with the Empire? If His Majesty the Holy King hasn’t decided it, it can never happen.”
Seo Woojin nodded at Oien’s answer.
“Then the odds are high that this Holy King guy is the one behind it.”
“…Behind it?”
Oien tilted his head.
“What do you mean by that?”
This war was to hold someone accountable for the death of the ‘Saintess.’
Oien did think it was strange and reckless, but he hadn’t suspected any hidden conspiracy.
It was a decision made directly by the Holy King.
Who would dare scheme behind his back?
At least, Oien believed it impossible.
But Seo Woojin thought differently.
He had no faith in the Lord God and no blind loyalty to the Holy King, so he could view things far more objectively.
Just looking at the situation, there were more than enough reasons to suspect foul play—overflowing, even.
“Someone might be manipulating the Holy King, or they could have been in cahoots from the start. Or else…”
The Holy King himself could be a follower of the Demon King.
Seo Woojin swallowed the rest of his words.
He saw Oien’s expression twisting.
‘Keep talking, and swords will come out.’
Oien’s loyalty pierced the heavens; even while doubting the war, he hadn’t lost faith in the Holy King.
‘No need to rile him up and end the conversation early.’
He still had many questions.
Fortunately, Oien was being cooperative, so he could probably learn quite a bit.
Seo Woojin smiled inwardly and continued with his questions.
For quite a while.
* * *
“Oien! Where is Sir Oien!”
Shteorn searched for Oien with a flushed face.
His tongue was still thick from the alcohol, even in this situation.
“He hasn’t left the city yet, it seems.”
One of the holy knights reported urgently.
“What?”
Shteorn’s face contorted.
Oien was the strongest knight in the Aier army.
That meant he was the greatest shield to protect him.
For such a knight to still be in the city?
It felt like being stripped bare, sending chills creeping down his spine.
“What about the knights and soldiers? Have they all withdrawn?”
“Most of the surviving forces have left the city and formed ranks.”
“The casualties!”
“We haven’t gotten exact numbers yet, but around a thousand soldiers and about fifty knights have lost their lives…”
“Damn it!”
Shteorn spat curses at the holy knight’s report.
It was hard to believe he was a devout cleric serving the Lord God, the way he carried on.
Shteorn noticed the holy knights staring at him and shut his mouth.
He’d realized his own disgraceful behavior.
His face reddened even more as he cleared his throat and asked the knight,
“Who’s the culprit? The ‘Black Existence’?”
“From what we’ve gathered, that’s the most likely. The description matches what we heard before almost exactly.”
“…To dare interfere in our homeland’s holy war. It must be the Demon King’s followers. Once the soldiers are ready, we’ll strike the city immediately. Tell everyone to prepare for battle!”
“Y-Yes, but!”
The holy knight’s eyes widened at Shteorn’s words.
Having seen the ‘Black Existence’ with his own eyes, he was certain their forces couldn’t handle it.
No matter how many soldiers they had.
The ‘Black Existence’ he’d witnessed was like a natural disaster.
An unstoppable one.
And there was another problem besides the ‘Black Existence.’
“This is Derhan territory! If we attack that city…!”
It would mean war.
Even if it was a minor nation, turning Derhan into an enemy on top of the Empire was dangerous.
But Shteorn didn’t seem to care about that at all.
“The ‘Black Existence’ appearing here means Derhan has colluded with the Demon King’s filthy seeds! I’ll take full responsibility, so prepare to attack!”
The surrounding holy knights knew Shteorn’s words were forced.
But they couldn’t disobey.
He was the supreme commander of the Aier army, appointed directly by the Holy King.
Defying Shteorn’s orders was the same as defying the Holy King’s will.
With their faith in the Lord God and Holy King unshakable, they couldn’t refuse the command.
“Tell the soldiers. We’ll attack the city as soon as the situation stabilizes.”
“…Understood.”
The reporting holy knight turned and gave the order. His subordinates nodded, biting their lips.
That’s when the holy knights moved to prepare the city assault.
“Sir Oien!”
“Sir Oien is coming!”
Shouts from the soldiers on watch rang out.
Shteorn brightened at the sound and jumped to his feet.
His shield had finally returned.
“Bring him here!”
Shteorn issued the command, visibly excited.
The soldiers quickly escorted the approaching Oien straight to Shteorn.
“Are you alright? I was worried.”
Oien bowed his head slightly at Shteorn’s relieved expression.
“Now that you’re here, we’re good. We can start the attack without worry.”
Oien’s eyes widened at those words.
“Attack? What do you mean?”
Oien reacted the same way the holy knights had just moments ago.
But the outcome was different.
Unlike the other holy knights who couldn’t refuse and accepted Shteorn’s orders, Oien shook his head.
“Impossible.”
Shteorn’s expression hardened, never expecting Oien to oppose him.
“You dare refuse my orders, which carry His Majesty the Holy King’s will?”
“That’s right.”
Even as Shteorn invoked the Holy King, Oien didn’t bend.
No, far from submitting to the Holy King’s authority, he stepped forward and raised his presence.
“I can’t let the soldiers die pointless deaths.”
Attacking the city now meant death.
Whether a hundred, a thousand, or ten thousand.
They could never beat the ‘Black Existence’ in that city.
Even escaping the city alive was only possible because the ‘Black Existence’ allowed it.
If they launched an attack?
“He won’t let us live.”
It was a fact he’d confirmed firsthand, even conversing with it.
“If we don’t withdraw the army right now, we’ll suffer irreparable losses.”
The ‘Black Existence’ had said it.
Halting at this point was to give them time to choose.
If they refused to back down from the war, the price would be 50,000 lives.
“Nonsense!”
Shteorn bellowed at Oien’s words.
“No matter how strong that thing is, it can’t stop an army of 50,000 alone! It’s just bluffing—probably trembling in fear before the Lord God’s army right now!”
Of course, Shteorn had no intention of listening to Oien.
“Seize Oien for trying to sabotage the holy war after being swayed by the enemy!”
Claiming Oien was spouting nonsense after being deluded by the ‘Black Existence,’ he ordered his arrest.
The holy knights hesitated.
Oien was Aier’s proud top knight.
To them, he was a trusted comrade and superior they should follow.
It was no wonder they were thrown off by the order to arrest him.
“What are you doing!”
Shteorn urged them.
“Stand down.”
At the same time, Oien commanded the holy knights.
Clack—
The holy knights approaching Oien cautiously froze without realizing it.
A faint holy power emanated, restricting their movements.
Oien continued to draw up his holy power.
Wooong—
A brilliant pure white aura began to envelop the surroundings in an instant.
Immaculate, beautiful holy power beyond compare.
Seeing it, the holy knights wore expressions of awe.
Then, Oien drew his sword.
Shing—
The holy power surged into his blade, forming a blade of pure white aura.
“Listen up.”
Oien pointed his sword at Shteorn and spoke.
“Arrest and detain the sinner Shteorn, who seeks to harm Aier.”
“W-What!”
Shteorn wasn’t the only one flustered.
The holy knights were even more shocked, doubting their ears.
But Oien confirmed it, issuing the order again.
“Shteorn has sullied the name of the holy war and forced the sacrifice of the innocent. This defies His Majesty the Holy King’s will. Strip him of his position and arrest him.”
“Seize that bastard! I’m the supreme commander of the Aier army! My orders take priority!”
Supreme commander of the Aier army.
Aier’s greatest holy knight.
Faced with the two conflicting orders, the holy knights hesitated briefly.
But soon, they moved.
Toward Shteorn, not Oien.
“W-What? You’re going to arrest me now?!”
Shteorn shrieked and stumbled back.
“Come quietly.”
The first holy knight to approach him wrinkled his nose at the stench of alcohol from Shteorn’s mouth.
“You heretics! The Holy King will never forgive this…!”
“Shut his mouth.”
Oien ordered again, and the holy knights muffled Shteorn.
“Mmph! Mmmph!”
He struggled, but he’d never had the strength to overpower holy knights.
“…What do you plan to do, starting something like this?”
The holy knight who’d been reporting to Shteorn approached Oien cautiously and asked.
He was Oien’s subordinate, an elite knight who’d reached a high rank.
“This war has been wrong from the start.”
“…We already know that.”
Anyone could see it was an inappropriate time, started for an absurd reason.
No one opposed because it was the Holy King’s will, but inwardly, everyone harbored doubts.
Yet Oien had brought up the taboo subject.
“Trouble will follow.”
They’d openly defied the Holy King’s command.
It wouldn’t end with mere death.
“It might even mean excommunication…”
“Doesn’t matter.”
Oien shook his head at his subordinate’s worry.
That wasn’t important now.
“We’re returning to Aier.”
“You don’t mean abandoning the holy war…?”
The holy knight asked in shock, and Oien replied calmly.
“I’ll meet His Majesty the Holy King and ask him directly.”
If it was truly you…
“Prepare to withdraw.”
Oien turned and ordered the retreat.
As he did, he recalled what the ‘Black Existence’ had said.
‘The Holy King is highly likely to be a Demon King follower.’