Chapter 348: I’m Curious (2)
Chapter 348: I’m Curious (2)
Deep beneath the Holy Kingdom.
This place, known as the sealing site of the Outer God, was a location whose existence was known only to a select few high-ranking officials, including the Pope of the Holy Kingdom.
But now, it had been thrown open.
The entrance itself had been heavily demolished and expanded, leaving it exposed to the outside world.
And that wasn't the only thing that had changed.
Yupinel’s Spear, which had once sealed the Outer God, was snapped in half. Above it, a black gate hummed, expanding in size with every passing day.
That was the only entrance leading to the Heavenly Demon’s Hall of Subjugated Demons.
The gate had not yet fully opened, but the moment it did, the Heavenly Demon’s familiars would come pouring out.
Stationed there to prevent such an occurrence were the Holy Knights of the Holy Kingdom and the familiars of Kalaron from the Great Forest.
They surrounded the sealing site in several layers, maintaining a tight perimeter against any potential emergency.
Just then, a peerless beauty with black hair appeared from the sky. She bowed politely and spoke.
“Uncle. You are working hard.”
—It is you, Persona.
The one who answered was a being known as the Reign of Terror, one of the Four Calamities, and in another world, the Blue Dragon.
However, currently…
—Did your errand go well?
“…….”
—Persona?
“Ah. Yes. Uncle. What did you say?”
Persona hadn't heard the Blue Dragon’s words. Because…
‘Oh, seriously, he’s insanely cute.’
The Blue Dragon’s appearance had changed significantly.
Now, instead of the Reign of Terror, he deserved to be called a floating little cutie.
His size had shrunk to that of a small puppy.
Accordingly, his silhouette had changed as well.
Short, stubby horns.
Round, orb-like eyes.
Dainty little paws.
The majesty that once overflowed from his entire being had long since been replaced by pure cuteness. And…
—Did you convey the fact that the seal will soon be broken?
—What did the Prophesied Human say?
A tiny, red baby bird flapped its wings vigorously as it flew over and perched on her shoulder.
A white ball of fluff waddled over and looked up at her with sparkling eyes.
“Urgh!”
Persona clutched her chest and groaned as if she had suffered a serious blow to the heart.
—What is the matter?
“Ah… It’s nothing.”
She couldn't exactly say, “Uncles, you are all so cute it’s bad for my heart.”
Persona pulled out a handkerchief and wiped away a nosebleed as if nothing were wrong.
“Ahem, ahem… I have finished reporting the situation to my Master.”
—…….
Why did they find it so hard to believe her?
Persona did her best to ignore the cute yet cold gazes focused on her and spoke formally.
“He will arrive here soon, leading a thoroughly prepared force. At that time, I too shall do my best to fight by Master’s side.”
Hearing Persona’s words, the Blue Dragon let out a sigh and spoke solemnly.
—I see. And then, our fate shall be decided.
The die was already cast.
Fortunately, there was a glimmer of hope, however small.
—Man proposes, God disposes. We have done all that we can, so now we simply wait for the result.
Everyone nodded as if they all agreed with the Blue Dragon’s words.
*
A swordsman of at least 4-Star rank.
A mage of at least the 3rd floor of the Tower of Truth.
A magic swordsman capable of activating at least two types of Soul Weapons.
A subordinate of Kalaron who has experienced at least one evolution.
An elf capable of summoning an intermediate spirit or higher.
An intermediate Holy Knight or Monk.
These were the minimum recruitment conditions Patrick had set for those entering the Heavenly Demon’s Hall of Subjugated Demons.
The Duchy of Schneider had already finalized a list of personnel who met these criteria.
He had also requested cooperation from other nations under the same conditions.
It was much better than blindly demanding a massive army, but…
“No, this is…”
“Isn't this the same as taking away all the core power of the nation?”
“This is madness. You want us to throw all our nation’s elites into such a perilous war?”
The cooperation from various countries was lukewarm.
They had not yet felt the threat of the Outer God firsthand.
In fact, some thought they should preserve as much of their national strength as possible to seize hegemony in the next era once this crisis passed.
They tried to slyly hide their key forces and play it safe. Seeing this, Patrick released an official notice.
[If we lose the war, we all perish together anyway. But if we win, know that only those who played it safe this time will be ruined. If you think I’m lying, let’s see what happens after the war.]
It was a sentence far too radical and impolite to be called an official government document. However…
“Young Master, the Harbor Duchy has sent an additional 300 knights.”
“The Magellan Kingdom has sent 500 knights and twenty mages directly under the royal family.”
“From the Atronia Royal Family…”
The effect was certain.
A man of his word.
Everyone on the continent was beginning to realize exactly what kind of person Patrick was.
Thanks to that, Patrick was able to successfully gather his forces.
That force consisted of:
3,000 Knights.
500 Mages.
900 Magic Swordsmen.
800 Orc Warriors.
150 Elf Warriors.
700 Warriors from Kalaron’s familiars.
It was a small army of 6,050, but this force was the result of focusing on quality over quantity.
In truth, if he had just wanted to increase the head count, he could have gathered far more, but that would have only produced meaningless corpses.
Instead, the power of the entire continent was concentrated here to such an extent that this elite force alone could easily topple the Empire or the Holy Kingdom.
Patrick stationed the concentrated forces in front of the gate to the Hall of Subjugated Demons.
He himself stayed by the gate, eating and sleeping there as he waited.
Watching the gate grow larger day by day, Patrick muttered.
“It’s almost time.”
The day of the final battle was not far off.
*
It was a bleak land.
A parched earth where not a single blade of grass could be found.
However, in the center of that land stood a magnificent palace that did not suit the barren landscape.
No, could this even be called a palace?
Built in the style of the Central Plains, this structure was so large and grand that one might mistake it for an Imperial Palace.
This was the Heavenly Demon’s Hall of Subjugated Demons.
It was his own sanctuary, created with divine power by one born with the destiny of a God of Destruction.
The Heavenly Demon, resurrected by Jonsa, immediately opened his Hall of Subjugated Demons.
Inside, he began to awaken his familiars and slowly recover his strength.
Everything was for the sake of achieving the Great Destruction, his reason for being and his life’s work.
The palace had been empty at first, but as the days passed, followers of the Heavenly Demon appeared, filling the space.
The 108 Demon Warriors who had been active during the Heavenly Demon’s previous life began to reveal themselves one by one.
Inside the Hall of Subjugated Demons, the Heavenly Demon was slowly recreating the strength of the Demonic Cult at its peak.
Meanwhile…
A figure appeared before the Heavenly Demon’s quarters and spoke to the gatekeeper.
“Please inquire within. A servant of the Great One wishes to have an audience with the Lord.”
An old man with one eye, clad in a black robe.
The old man, who appeared with his disciples behind him, was none other than Jonsa, the pinnacle of dark mages.
As the peak of all dark mages and the one who had contributed greatly to the Heavenly Demon’s resurrection, he had come to see the Heavenly Demon. And…
“You wish to see the Lord? You?”
“…That is correct.”
The gatekeeper guarding the Heavenly Demon’s quarters laughed as if it were absurd and said, “How dare a fledgling like you request an audience with the Lord?”
“…….”
Jonsa could not answer.
And the gatekeeper spoke as if there was nothing more to hear.
“Begone. I shall spare your life in consideration of your merits.”
At that, the disciples behind Jonsa grew furious.
“How dare you…”
“Are your words not too harsh?”
“This person is the one who contributed greatly to the resurrection of the Outer God.”
The disciples protested, but the gatekeeper didn't even bat an eye. Instead…
“Puppies who don't know their place.”
Black demonic energy gathered in his hand. At that, Jonsa shouted urgently.
“Do not act recklessly! How dare you raise your voices in this place?”
Jonsa wasn't shouting at the gatekeeper, but at his disciples who had gotten angry on his behalf.
“But Master…”
“Are you saying you won't listen to my command?”
“…Our apologies.”
Pride bowed his head deeply and took a step back. Then Jonsa said…
“My disciples have made a mistake. As their teacher, I ask for your forgiveness.”
“…….”
“And please, inquire within. I have come because I have something I must say for the sake of the Great One’s grand design.”
It was a truly polite, even groveling, request. At that, the gatekeeper…
“A lowly thing like you?”
He looked down at Jonsa with blatant contempt and disregard.
Jonsa’s expression could not be seen as his head was bowed, but the faces of the disciples standing behind him showed that the atmosphere was not good.
And eventually…
“You bastard!”
One of Jonsa’s disciples caused an incident.
Glunit summoned black flames onto his staff and prepared to swing it.
At the moment those intense flames, capable of burning even a dragon alive, were about to fly toward the gatekeeper…
Phwaaa!
The gatekeeper simply waved his hand and easily extinguished the black flames. Then…
Crunch!
“Insolent fool. How dare a wretch like you bare your teeth?”
Before anyone knew it, the gatekeeper was gripping Glunit by the throat.
“Hmph, I won't go down with just this…”
Despite being grabbed by the neck, Glunit seemed fine.
In fact, among Jonsa’s disciples, Glunit was not a living being but a dead one.
A being that a high-level dark mage reaches by choosing eternal life by turning themselves into the undead.
An Archlich—that was Glunit’s true identity.
Even if his neck were snapped or he were blown away, it wouldn't be a problem for him. However…
“Stupid fool.”
Boom!
Terrifying demonic energy erupted from the gatekeeper’s body, overwhelming everyone present.
It was an overwhelming demonic energy that made it difficult for even Jonsa himself, let alone his disciples, to breathe. Furthermore, for Glunit, who was being directly pressured by that energy…
“Aaaargh… Ugh… Uggghhh…”
It was the first time since becoming a Lich that he had felt such excruciating pain.
His life force—no, his very soul—felt as if it were being crushed and ground down. Glunit’s body trembled violently under the pressure.
Glunit might not have known, but for someone like him who maintained life through demonic energy, demonic energy of a higher rank and strength was his natural enemy.
In fact, it was an absolute wall that could never be overcome.
Overwhelmingly strong demonic energy could subordinate, devour, and absorb weaker demonic energy.
Just as a larger fire swallows a smaller one.
If the opponent wished, devouring Glunit’s relatively weak mana and soul would be child's play.
“Since you dared to bare your teeth at me, I trust you have no regrets in dying.”
“Gaaaah… Aaaaagh!”
“Return to complete nothingness amidst agonizing pain.”
Just as Glunit’s soul was on the verge of annihilation.
“Please stop. My disciple only made a mistake because he is still immature.”
Jonsa hurriedly stepped forward.
But despite Jonsa’s plea, the gatekeeper frowned and said, “You dare ask me for mercy? You must not know of me, the Mind-Reading Ghost Demon.”
The Mind-Reading Ghost Demon.
A follower of the Heavenly Demon who would unhesitatingly rip out the throat of even his own kin if the Heavenly Demon commanded it. One of the Four Elders of the Demonic Cult.
That was the true identity of this gatekeeper.
Jonsa did not dare to oppose him and simply bowed his head, saying, “I humbly beg of you.”
“What value does the request of a worm like you have—”
It was then.
“Let him in.”
A voice was heard from inside the door.
At once, the Mind-Reading Ghost Demon released Glunit, turned around, and knelt on the floor. He pressed his head against the ground toward the room where the voice had come from and said, “This humble servant obeys the Lord’s command.”
No answer came from within.
However, the Mind-Reading Ghost Demon slowly stood up, carefully opened the door, and said to Jonsa, “Go inside. However, any disrespect shall be paid for with your death.”
“I shall keep that in mind.”
Having received permission, Jonsa carefully stepped inside.
Jonsa’s disciples tried to follow him, but…
Glance.
The Mind-Reading Ghost Demon’s gaze, which made it clear he did not grant them permission, stopped them in their tracks.
Eventually, the door closed, and Jonsa, looking only at his feet, slowly took three steps forward. Then…
“Let the lowly servant show respect to the Great God.”
Someone’s voice was heard from the side.
Immediately, Jonsa knelt and struck his head against the floor three times, shouting, “Heavenly Demon Reborn, Ten Thousand Demons Look Up! Heavenly Demon Reborn, Ten Thousand Demons Look Up! Heavenly Demon Reborn, Ten Thousand Demons Look Up!”
The voice spoke to Jonsa, who had struck the floor hard with his forehead.
“Raise your head.”
Only then could Jonsa carefully lift his head.
It was a magnificent space reminiscent of an Imperial Royal Hall.
Beside the hall stood four men.
Each of them was an Elder of the Demonic Cult, holding the same rank as the Mind-Reading Ghost Demon who had been acting as the gatekeeper.
They were powerhouses who had been objects of fear and dread even in the Jianghu of their previous lives.
In terms of pure martial prowess alone, these men were strong enough to tear apart someone like the Sword Saint of his previous life with one hand.
Such individuals had been reborn as the Heavenly Demon’s familiars and had become even stronger.
But despite such powerhouses being before him…
‘Ah…’
Their presence was not a threat to Jonsa.
Because before him was someone whose presence was on a completely different dimension than that of a mere Elder of the Demonic Cult.
A man with pale skin and long black hair sat on a magnificent jade throne, looking down at him with an expressionless face.
He was truly his god.
A great divinity born with the destiny of destruction.
The Heaven of Demons.
The Heavenly Demon.