Chapter 294: O Foolish and Pitiful One (1)
Chapter 294: O Foolish and Pitiful One (1)
Pangemonia—a world established and crafted by two creator gods.
When the development of that world had reached a certain trajectory and its self-sufficiency was firmly established, an Outer God arrived from beyond the boundaries.
Having crossed the dimensional wall to reach this world, the Outer God waged a war to seize it. The Outer God’s familiars, who followed in his wake, sought to destroy the existing order and restart everything from scratch to claim dominion over the world.
Ultimately, Yupinel and Kalaron created a new race to stand against the Outer God and his familiars.
Bodies stronger than steel.
Magic power more formidable than any other race.
Wisdom sufficient to wield that power.
A race created by imbuing them with all these traits. They were the race known as the guardians and arbitrators of the Middle World.
They were the Dragons.
“Wait a second. I was taught as a child that Dragons were the very first creatures made during the creation of heaven and earth?”
Patrick interrupted the Pope’s explanation to ask a question. The Pope nodded readily and replied.
“That was a lie.”
“Hah?”
Look at this old man’s confidence, Patrick thought, staring at him with an incredulous expression. The Pope let out a sigh and continued.
“It couldn't be helped. The existence of the Outer God had to remain top secret. To ensure that, we had no choice but to twist and distort the original creation myth.”
Patrick scratched his head. It was a bit suspicious, but it wasn't like this old man had come up with the lie himself; it seemed to be something passed down through generations. What was the point in arguing with him?
“Fine. Please continue.”
“Very well. The war against the Outer God was fierce and long. But in the end, our world succeeded in defeating the Outer God and sealing him deep within the earth.”
“……”
“Then, Yupinel-nim personally cast a barrier over the land where the Outer God was sealed to prepare for a potential resurrection, and commanded his followers to build a city there.”
“Don’t tell me…”
“Yes. It is this very land.”
The Holy City, Promise.
The capital of the Saint Louis Holy Church State was the very place where the Outer God was sealed.
“Is it possible for me to see this seal?”
“…Only the Pope and his direct successor are permitted to enter the sealing site,” the Pope said, looking troubled.
In truth, even sharing this secret history was technically forbidden. However, this young man had saved his life and, by extension, the Holy Kingdom, so he had made a special exception. To go any further was simply…
“I beg of you.”
It was then that Patrick stood up and bowed his head politely, making the request. His attitude was earnest, a stark departure from his usual self.
“Listen, Double Dragon.”
“……”
“Please consider my position as well. If word reaches the Cardinals that I took you to the sealing site, Pope or not, I’ll be…”
“I beg of you.”
“Why are you so interested in the sealing site?”
At the Pope’s question, Patrick replied while still keeping his head bowed.
“There is something I must confirm.”
“……”
“I am begging you.”
Seeing his desperate sincerity, the Pope thought for a moment before letting out a heavy sigh.
“I suppose it can’t be helped.”
*
The Central Hall of the Holy Kingdom.
Arriving at the place that was only opened when the Pope performed important rituals, the Pope stood in the center of the hall, raised his staff, and spoke.
“In the name of Anonius Saint Faust XVII, let the gates to the sealing site be opened.”
At his words, the space in the floor split apart, revealing a staircase leading downward.
“Follow me.”
The Pope took the lead, and Patrick followed him down the stairs. It was a deep basement where not a single ray of light reached. The stairs were so dark that one couldn't see an inch ahead if not for the occasional glowing orbs providing a faint light.
After descending for a long time, a massive cavern revealed itself. It wasn't a natural formation; in the center of the artificially carved stone cavern stood a colossal spear radiating a faint light.
The spear was so massive—easily over a hundred meters long—that it was difficult to take in the whole sight at once. But even more astonishing was the power emanating from it.
Divine power?
No, it was different. It was similar, but the sheer presence of the power was on another level. This power was so overwhelming and lofty that one felt as if they would be entranced just by looking at it…
“It is Yupinel-nim’s spear. It is what keeps the Outer God sealed.”
“Is this… the power of a god?”
“Indeed.”
Only then did it make sense. The great and overwhelming presence felt from the spear was because it was the power of a god. And as for the Outer God being sealed by this power…
“I don’t see anything?”
Looking at the spot where the spear had pierced, there was nothing to be seen. At this rate, he couldn't confirm what the Outer God actually was. As Patrick looked on in disappointment, the Pope approached him.
“If you wish to see the traces of the Outer God, look over there.”
“Where?”
The Pope created a sphere of light with his divine power and illuminated the ceiling of the cavern.
“Those are characters the Outer God personally left behind before being sealed. Unfortunately, no one has been able to read them.”
“……”
“We have researched the identity of the Outer God for a long time, but we could never decipher the meaning of those sentences. We suspected they might be characters from another world unknown to us.”
“……”
Patrick stared blankly at the characters on the ceiling. Patrick could read those characters, which had been scribbled in a single, sweeping stroke. They were…
“It’s Sanskrit.”
“Yes, that’s… what did you say?”
The Pope was shocked. Patrick spoke as if he knew the identity of those mysterious characters—characters that countless theologians had spent years studying without ever finding a single rule or connection.
“H-How? No, more importantly, do you know what those characters are? Can you read them?”
“…I can.”
Originally, Patrick didn't know Sanskrit well. Sanskrit was a script used by learned Confucian scholars or monks who studied Buddhist Law academically. Why would a warrior of the Martial World study such things? However, he knew that sentence.
Even if he didn't know Sanskrit, he knew that specific phrase. In fact, any person from the Jianghu, not just Patrick, would know it. Because every time those words appeared in the Martial World, a bloodbath followed.
Patrick spat the words out as if chewing them.
“…The Heavenly Demon descends. …Ten Thousand Demons Look Up.”
It happened at that very moment.
Rumble, rumble, rumble…
The sealing site shook violently. It was as if something deep underground was responding to the call.
*
The vast, open sea, far away from the Pangemonia continent.
Space split open, and figures began to emerge one by one. Dressed in black robes and carrying staffs made of bone, they were clearly Dark Mages.
The problem, however, was not their identity, but their numbers.
One, two, three… ten, twenty… a hundred…
The number of Dark Mages continued to grow, only stopping once it reached a staggering total of over a thousand.
A thousand Dark Mages.
No one on the continent would have imagined it. No one could have guessed that so many Dark Mages existed after they had been so ruthlessly suppressed across the entire continent for so long.
Even a thousand ordinary mages would be a military force capable of swaying the fate of a nation. Considering the combat-specialized nature of Dark Mages, the significance of a thousand of them was truly terrifying.
In the middle of this empty, vast ocean, a force of Dark Mages capable of waging war against an empire had appeared. And this was only considering their numbers.
The real threat was appearing now.
Vroooooom.
A spatial portal, far larger than any seen before, manifested. The size of a portal used by Dark Mages was proportional to their mana, and the one opening in the air now was large enough to swallow an entire small territory.
From it emerged six men draped in black robes, followed by an old man who appeared to their reverent worship.
The moment they saw the old man, who had one eye covered by a patch, all one thousand Dark Mages knelt and bowed their heads, showing extreme respect.
“We greet the Jonsa.”
“We greet the Jonsa.”
The Jonsa raised a hand to silence the Dark Mages who were voicing their respect in unison, and he stared intently at a single spot with his dull, cloudy eye.
It was a vast, empty ocean. No matter where one looked, only the horizon was visible. But if one looked closely, they would notice something.
This sea was unnaturally stagnant.
Even looking into the water, no fish were visible, and there were no ripples. Staring at the sea surface, which was as smooth as a mirror, the Jonsa muttered.
“They fixed time and space entirely. I see… No wonder we couldn't find it for so long.”
He then turned to a disciple standing nearby.
“Was it you who discovered this, Rust?”
“It was, Jonsa.”
“A great merit. This achievement will bring you an even higher reward on the day of Salvation’s Sunset.”
At those words, the one called Rust trembled with emotion and shouted.
“I will dedicate myself with total loyalty until the day of Salvation’s Sunset!”
The other Dark Mages looked at Rust with genuine envy. Having finished the commendations, the Jonsa slowly raised his staff.
“Now then, let us drag the rats out.”
A dark red energy rose from his staff and enveloped the stagnant area of the sea. Immediately, as if a rejection was occurring, something pushed back against the dark red energy, and intense sparks began to fly in the process.
However, the energy the Jonsa emitted grew stronger and stronger, until finally…
Crack.
The sound of something splitting and shattering began to echo in the air…
Clang!
With the sound of clear glass breaking, something revealed itself. It was a large island centered around an active volcano.
As the barrier surrounding the island shattered, massive beings began to rise into the air one by one. Colossal forms of black, red, gold, white, and other colors soared into the sky.
Dragons.
The arbitrators and guardians of the Middle World took to the skies, radiating a murderous aura.
Seeing this, the Jonsa raised his staff and spoke.
“For the great cause of Salvation’s Sunset, and for our own revenge…”
The Jonsa shouted, his single remaining eye wide with intensity.
“Go, my children! This is a holy war!”
Countless Dark Mages erupted with mana and descended. In a place unknown to anyone on the Pangemonia continent, a war that would decide the fate of the world had begun.
*
“The day has finally come.”
A Golden Dragon, soaking his massive golden body in the magma of the active volcano, muttered to himself. His name was Leonis. He was the Lord who ruled over the entire Dragon race.
He had realized it from the moment the barrier was attacked. The servants of the Outer God had finally found this place.
“The time has come.”
He rose from the lava. Other Dragons nearby stepped forward and spoke.
“Lord.”
“The enemies have invaded this land.”
“Please give us your command.”
Looking at the reliable figures of his kin awaiting their king’s orders, the Lord spoke.
“Today’s trial will be harsh. But we will simply do what we must.”
The Lord spread his wings, releasing his energy.
“My proud kin. Defeat the enemies of the world!”
“Yes!”
Every Dragon spread their wings and took flight. One by one, the warriors of the race soared through the volcano’s crater. The terrifying roar that followed signaled the start of the battle in earnest.
Listening to the sound, the Lord spoke.
“Persona.”
“Did you call, my King?”
The one who answered was a Black Dragon about half the size of the Lord. Looking at the Lord who was staring at him intently, he said, “Please speak. If you give the command, I will gladly strike down those wicked beings…”
“You are not yet an adult dragon.”
The Lord cut Persona off firmly. He slowly lowered his head to touch foreheads with him and said, “I am giving you an important mission.”
“What is it?”
“Take the younger ones of our race and flee.”
“L-Lord? What disastrous words are those?”
“If it is our duty to protect the world, your duty is to preserve the future of our race. Leave with the children at once.”
“I refuse. I will fight as well. Lord, please rescind your order.”
To the young dragon shouting desperately, the Lord raised his head and tapped his forehead with his claw. A small emblem on the Black Dragon’s forehead flashed once and then vanished.
“Lord? This is…”
“Go.”
“……”
“From now on, you are the Lord of our race.”
He had passed on the Lord’s Seal. It was proof that the Lord was prepared for death. The dragon called Persona grit his teeth.
“Persona, daughter of Arcana, accepts your command.”
Then, Persona also spread her wings and flew away to fulfill the Lord’s command.
“With this, I have done all I must.”
The Dragon Lord’s body floated into the air. Slowly, his massive form emerged from the volcano. The sight of the battle already in full swing met his eyes.
The mana of the Dark Mages and the Breaths of his kin clashed wildly, while demons summoned from hell attacked his race. Seeing dozens of demons simultaneously attacking and pushing back a single dragon, Leonis roared.
“Servants of the Outer God! Familiars of evil! I will show you how terrifying the wrath of a Dragon can be!”
As the Dragon Lord’s maw opened, a golden light-attribute Breath swept across the area.
KABOOM!
His Breath caused no harm to his own kin, striking only the enemies. In that single blast, hundreds of Dark Mages were killed without leaving a trace, and the hellish demons they had summoned were sent back.
Truly, he was the Dragon Lord. With a single Breath, the unfavorable tide of battle was instantly turned.