The Demon of the Holy Kingdom (1)
“Look over there. That’s Singmulgur.”
Roin pointed eastward, her back to the desert wind. Beyond the hill, spotless white walls and rounded castle roofs came into view. The walls alone inspired reverence, with towering spires and domes everywhere. This was Singmulgur, the famed medical powerhouse—a land of peace protected by holy power.
Cliche and his companions stood before Singmulgur’s pride and joy: the White Walls. The sheer scale of the perfectly straight stone barrier was impressive, but what truly stunned them was its pristine cleanliness. Even the sand-laden winds couldn’t mar it.
“Hey! Who are you people?!”
The guards at the gate leveled their spears and shouted.
“We’re patients from the west!”
As Roin replied, the guards approached slowly.
“From the west?”
“Yes.”
“There’s no country out that way. Right?”
The guards’ eyes sharpened. The eldest among them, standing at the front with the most weathered authority, glared fiercely.
“Sounds like we can’t verify your identities. No entry, then. Unless it’s an emergency patient...”
Judging from their strict demeanor, Roin realized this wouldn’t be easy. She quickly pulled a leather pouch from her bosom—stuffed generously with gold coins, gathered by the villagers before they left.
With practiced finesse, Roin slipped the pouch to the guards. But then—
“How dare you offer such filthy bribes!”
The guard hurled the pouch into the sand. His face twisted in fury as he glared at Roin.
“Only those with verified identities or emergency patients may enter! Prove you’re sick, or no admission!”
Roin grimaced. How do you even prove that? They weren’t actually sick...
Right then!
“Hup!?”
Roin yelped as her back arched sharply. In an instant, Cliche had yanked her backward, cradling her waist with one hand. His face loomed dangerously close to hers.
“C... Cliche? What are you—?!”
Roin couldn’t finish. Cliche’s lips crashed over hers.
“Mmph!? Mmph!?”
She flailed, but he held firm. Tongues tangled in the kiss. No time for first-kiss thoughts, though.
Out of nowhere like this!?
That was all that filled her mind.
“Smack!”
A few seconds later, Cliche pulled away. He stared blankly at the guards.
“......”
The eldest guard couldn’t meet Cliche’s gaze. He looked up and away, face flushing, clearing his throat awkwardly.
“Y-youth these days.”
“We’re sick from being young.”
“Then you’re definitely sick.”
The stern guard nodded, cheeks pink.
“Emergency patients. Cleared!”
“Man... these roads are so~~ clean.”
Hotse glanced around as he spoke. The streets inside were impeccably maintained—all white, spotlessly so. Park fountains, houses, arched bridges, temple pillars, statues, clock towers—everything gleamed white.
One oddity: flyers plastered everywhere.
Searching for Our Runaway Saintess!
Generous reward for crucial tips.
A girl’s portrait topped it, with vibrant flowers blooming below—poppies in full, multicolored bloom.
“Oh my! These plants are gorgeous!”
Unicef exclaimed in rapture at the flowerbeds. Roin’s face paled.
“These... look familiar.”
“Beep! Poppies. Biennial herbaceous plants of the Papaveraceae family. Scientific name: Papaver somniferum L. Stems reach 50–150 cm...”
AlphaGo’s lengthy explanation drained the color from Roin’s face again.
“These are dangerous! Illegal to grow back home!”
“Guess they’re allowed here.”
“What?! Opium ruins your body, leads to deadly diseases! The addiction! No country would permit drugs like that!”
Right then.
“Actually, the state manages these fields directly.”
A man in a black hood approached from the side.
“Who are you?”
As Roin tensed, the reply came from behind.
“Nosy lil’ brat, huh?”
“Looks super shady. These types always make bad offers.”
“Beep! Exclamation mark over his head? Total NPC. Quest incoming.”
Hotse, Unicef, and AlphaGo whispered among themselves.
“......”
Cliche narrowed his eyes too.
The black-clad man waved dismissively, as if to say no need for alarm.
“Calm down. I’m no shady character. Name’s Dark Lord.”
“Suspicious from the name alone!”
Roin barked. Dark Lord flinched, clamped her mouth, and scanned around.
“Shh! Quiet! You’re misunderstanding. I get it—been bullied over this name since childhood. Almost went astray, but I grew up right. Now I’m just your average rebel leader.”
“Grew up too right—for a Dark Lord!”
But despite Roin’s shout, the group nodded.
“Ahh... just yer standard radicals... happens all the time~~”
“Hotse’s surprisingly not boomer on politics?”
“Beep! Coup quest activated. Choose: Accept / YES.”
As the others chattered, Roin pinched her brow.
“Um... rebels... literally?”
Dark Lord nodded brightly.
“Yup. We’re overthrowing this regime, toppling the country. Planning to assassinate key officials too.”
“......”
“Out scouting escape routes after a hit today. You outsiders? Better leave quick.”
Roin paused at his words, then asked cautiously.
“Mind if I ask... why overthrow the country?”
“Huh?”
Dark Lord’s black eyes widened above his mask.
“Good question, outsider girl. Only right to answer. To prevent world destruction. To protect world peace. For love and truth. Spreading darkness—”
“Stop, stop. Just the point.”
“Hm. See that?”
Dark Lord pointed to the poppy fields, ending at a massive colosseum. Cheers echoed endlessly.
Kill! Kill!
Blood! Burn them!
Mad, frenzy-laden roars. Cliche frowned at the noise.
“Unpleasant. What is it?”
Dark Lord replied.
“They toss the poor and powerless to lions for a show. Victims get healed by the saintess’s holy power right away. Rinse and repeat. Forever.”
“......Why?”
Dark Lord silently pointed to a huge banner on the colosseum wall.
The Saintess Has Gone Mad! 90% OFF 90% 90%
Whoa, Holy Healing!? Cheaper Than Shoes!
☆Time-Space Healing☆ ??Saintess of Healing ★★★Saintess Blessing ☜☜ 100% FREE w/ Purchase ※
☆??Full-Party Storm Heal$$ on Every Visit※ ☞Vigilante Escort Service? ☞Free Holy Massage Coupon?
Special Conditions §§Singmulgur3§ §★H.E.A.L.I.N.G. J.O.Y★ Get Saintess Portrait!!!@@@
The temple walls crawled with garish banners. Crowds lined up at the doors. Dark Lord sighed.
“The saintess’s healing and holy power got so reckless, people forgot self-preservation. They indulge in harmful drugs, hurt others casually—chasing toxic pleasures. Her blessing just resets everything.”
Cliche, Roin, and the rest fell silent, speechless.
What happens when humans are freed from all illness and pain? Singmulgur showed a glimpse.
Dark Lord continued.
“The saintess isn’t holy. She’s a wicked demon corrupting us humans. That’s why we’ll wipe her and her holy knights out. Perfect timing with her disappearance.”
“Hey! Don’t demons have better things to do than corrupt you lot?”
Roin held Unicef back as she bristled.
“......The saintess vanished?”
Dark Lord nodded.
“Few days ago. She ran away. Holy knights are in chaos—our golden chance.”
“......”
“Big uproar soon. Outsiders like you? Leave quietly.”
With that, Dark Lord vanished into the alley shadows. Unicef grumbled after him.
“What a jerk. Lumping all demons as corruptors? Only a few do that! Don’t judge us all by some! And Dark Lord? Demons don’t name like that anymore! HA CHAM, got me speaking foreign in frustration, seriously.”
“No time for griping. Civil war’s brewing—let’s bail.”
Roin naturally took the lead, true to her royal blood. (Or just being the sole sane one.)
Then.
“......”
Cliche peered under a massive baked-earth bridge at the slums, eyes sparkling. Ragged kids clustered, kicking a worn ball in soccer. His gaze fixed on one girl among them.
Cloaked in tatters, face hidden, she laughed innocently with the slum kids.
Cliche nodded.
“That one’s the saintess.”
Roin turned to look.
“Huh? Just a normal slum girl?”
“Yeah. Normal slum girl? Nah, that’s definitely the runaway saintess.”
“Why think that?”
Cliche snorted.
“Because it’s obvious.”