Chapter 349: I Am Curious (3)
Chapter 349: I Am Curious (3)
The Heavenly Demon looked down with an indifferent expression at the man kneeling before him.
“What brings you here?”
Jonsa chose his words with the utmost care before speaking.
“It is said that the rebels of the continent are joining forces, daring to block the descent of a god.”
“And?”
“While such vermin could never hope to interfere with the work of a great god, I came here fearing they might cause you even the slightest displeasure.”
“……”
“If you grant me command, I shall wipe them out so that nothing may hinder your path.”
“……”
He had said his piece.
Now, all that remained was to wait for the god’s choice.
Jonsa waited with his head bowed low, like a priest preparing to receive an oracle. It didn't matter if the answer was a yes or a no. Whatever the response, he would simply obey and follow. However…
……
No matter how long he waited, not a word was heard.
Jonsa desperately suppressed the urge to lift his head and look at the Heavenly Demon’s face. But as the silence stretched on, he found himself with no other choice. He didn't know what kind of dilemma his question might be causing the god, but shouldn't he at least check his countenance to offer further counsel?
Very slowly and cautiously, Jonsa raised his head.
And the moment he saw the Heavenly Demon’s face…
“Ugh…”
A low groan escaped Jonsa’s lips despite himself. There was no emotion whatsoever on the face of the god looking down at him.
It was a face devoid of joy, anger, sorrow, or pleasure.
His gaze was as if he were looking at a common pebble on the side of the road.
The moment he met that gaze, the emotion Jonsa felt was a sacrilegious sense of betrayal.
How can he look at me like that?
How can he see me that way?
I have crossed a thousand years, staining my hands with every foul deed imaginable just to see you resurrected.
And yet, you look at me with those eyes…
CRASH!
It happened then.
Someone grabbed Jonsa by the head and slammed it into the floor. Then…
“How impious.”
The voice was so eerie and ominous that it didn't sound like it belonged to the living. The moment Jonsa heard it, his heart felt like it had dropped into his stomach.
Fear.
How long had it been?
How long since this sensation—the feeling of one's very blood freezing—had dominated his entire body?
Jonsa forced his locked jaw open and managed to squeeze out the necessary words.
“For… give… me…”
“……”
“I beg… for your forgiveness.”
“……”
“Please, I beg of you…”
“……”
As Jonsa struggled even to breathe, the one pinning his head down turned slightly to look at the Heavenly Demon.
In response to the silent question of what to do, the Heavenly Demon finally spoke.
“Release him.”
That single sentence saved Jonsa’s life.
The hand that had been crushing Jonsa’s head vanished instantly, and the figure moved like a ghost back to its original position.
Having narrowly escaped death, Jonsa fought desperately to steady his ragged breathing, which was heavy with terror.
The Heavenly Demon spoke to him.
“If you have said your piece, leave.”
“…Yes, My Lord.”
There were mountains of things he wanted to say—both logically and emotionally. But right now, he couldn't utter a single word. Jonsa simply felt grateful to be alive as he trembled and walked out.
As he emerged…
“Master!”
“Are you alright?”
His disciples rushed over to check on him. However…
“Haa… Haa… Haa…”
Jonsa didn't have the luxury of answering them.
Since when had it been? He had been so tense he couldn't even breathe properly, and only now was he gasping for air.
Come to think of it, why had he forgotten?
This was not a relationship between a lord and a vassal. A lord-vassal relationship is a social one where, at the very least, fellow humans divide roles based on rank and necessity. Even if there is a hierarchy, each has a role, and they can exchange opinions to fulfill those roles.
In contrast, the relationship between himself and the Heavenly Demon was that of a god and a believer.
A believer is not even permitted to question their god. To do so is impiety itself. One must only follow and obey unconditionally. That was the proper duty and role of those who followed a god.
“Why did I forget that?”
As Jonsa muttered to himself, the Mind-Reading Ghost Demon, who had taken it upon himself to act as the gatekeeper, spoke.
“It seems you’ve finally realized your place.”
Jonsa’s disciples bristled at the remark.
“How dare you be so rude!”
“Our Master is the one who endured and labored for over a thousand years for His Lordship’s resurrection!”
“No matter who you are, show some respect!”
Seeing the disciples’ anger, the Mind-Reading Ghost Demon spoke as if they were beneath contempt.
“Listen well, you brats. As an Elder of this Cult, I shall tell you one thing.”
“What…?”
“It is only natural for us to devote our bodies, minds, and even our souls to Him.”
“……”
“Realize that even desiring a reward for your merits is an act of preposterous impiety.”
Jonsa’s disciples bit their lips.
Is this all it was?
Did we commit countless atrocities over all those years just to be treated like this…?
“Enough!”
It was then. Jonsa, having regained some of his breath, shouted urgently. Then…
Slap! Slap! Slap!
Jonsa slapped his own disciples across the face and roared.
“How dare you be so disrespectful to the Fourth Elder?!”
After rebuking his disciples, Jonsa turned to the Mind-Reading Ghost Demon.
“My disciples are poorly disciplined. Please, forgive them.”
Seeing Jonsa’s display of total submission, the Mind-Reading Ghost Demon replied.
“This is the only time.”
“Thank you.”
“Begone. And never bother the Great One with such trivial matters again. If you do, you will all come to regret the fact that you are still alive.”
Jonsa bowed his head in gratitude and retreated with his disciples.
After Jonsa had left.
“Heavenly Demon, what are your wishes?”
“Please, give us your command.”
The Elders guarding the Heavenly Demon asked for his opinion. Jonsa’s attitude—daring to seek rewards and establish merits from a god—was the height of impiety, but the information he brought was not useless.
“If you permit it, I shall clear them away.”
The one who spoke was the First Elder of the Heavenly Demon Cult, the Heaven-Slaying Sword Demon. Having earned the title of the Greatest Sword of the Demonic Path in the Martial World, he was a sword demon who had risen to the position of First Elder through his blade alone during the Cult’s golden age.
He intended to head out immediately and slaughter the Allied Forces waiting outside the Gate the moment the Heavenly Demon gave the order. However…
“Leave them be.”
The Heavenly Demon restrained the Sword Demon. He continued in a calm voice.
“If they wish to live, they need only do their best to survive.”
“……”
“This does not go against the natural order.”
The desire to live. The Heavenly Demon acknowledged this. Any living being would strive to continue its existence. It was only natural. He felt no impiety in that.
If there was one thing he desired…
“I wonder if they can satisfy my longing.”
“Heavenly Demon, that is…”
“I am curious.”
With those final words, the Heavenly Demon leaned back against his throne and closed his eyes. The Elders did not speak to him further and quietly withdrew.
* * *
June 2, 1532.
On this day, Patrick woke up earlier than usual.
Rising before the sun had even peaked, Patrick looked at his wives sleeping soundly beside him and chuckled softly. He moved carefully so as not to wake them and stepped out of the barracks.
Outside, people were already busy preparing the morning meal. They saw Patrick and hurried to greet him.
“Greetings, Young Lord.”
“Are you awake? Please wait just a little longer for breakfast.”
Patrick raised a hand to tell them to take their time and walked on. His steps led him toward the sound of a sword cutting through the air.
Whoosh!
The sword speed was quite sharp. The man swinging the twin swords with such precision was…
“What are you doing this early?”
“Huh? You’re up?”
The man who could casually speak informally to the great Patrick Schneider. It was Patrick’s friend, Matthew.
As a 5-star knight, Matthew had naturally joined this war and was currently on standby. However…
“I believe the order was given not to train for the time being, as combat could break out at any moment?”
“This isn't training. I’m just loosening up.”
“Right. Then shall we loosen up together?”
“What? Whoa!”
Clang!
Before he could even finish his sentence, Patrick’s sword flew toward Matthew. Matthew hurriedly parried the blow.
“Oho… you blocked it?”
“Why wouldn't I?”
Matthew followed up with a counterattack. Patrick dodged and deflected the blades, occasionally striking back to keep him engaged. Rather than a serious spar, it was exactly as Matthew said—just a warm-up.
As they moved, Patrick felt a strange sense of pride.
This guy has really gotten strong.
When they first met at the Academy, there wasn't even a shadow of talent. Patrick had agreed to teach him the sword mainly to establish a connection with the Elvador Merchant Group, but he hadn't expected much.
If he works hard at my teachings, he might reach 3-star by the time he’s forty.
That had been his prediction.
But Matthew had achieved results that far exceeded Patrick’s expectations. He had reached the 5-star realm while still in his mid-twenties.
Was it a hidden talent that even Patrick had missed?
Not a chance.
Patrick knew. To attribute this achievement to 'talent' would be an insult to the blood and sweat this friend had shed. A man with not a speck of talent had reached his current level through effort that defied common sense.
Come to think of it…
From knight training at the Academy to the pioneering of the Great Forest and various battlefields, Matthew had never failed to participate. Though he lacked the skill to perform eye-catching feats, he had grown by surviving incidents so dangerous it wouldn't have been strange for him to die at any moment.
And so…
It’s a waste.
Patrick spoke while still clashing swords.
“Stew?”
“It’s Matthew.”
“…Why don't you go home?”
“……”
“I feel like your sister would kill me if you died, so…”
In that instant…
Swoosh!
A terrifying strike aimed at Patrick’s neck sliced through the air.
Clang!
Patrick blocked it easily with one hand and grumbled.
“What a temper…”
“You think I wouldn't lose my temper? You damn bastard!”
Clang! Clang! Clang!
A series of strikes followed. These were attacks Matthew was throwing with everything he had. They might have been nothing to Patrick, but the sincere anger contained within them reached Patrick’s heart.
CLANG!
Patrick parried a heavy blow that carried Matthew’s full weight. Matthew was pushed back significantly, but he didn't lose his grip on his swords. He moved to lung forward again, but…
“Sorry, I was wrong.”
“……”
“Give me a break, friend.”
When Patrick went as far as to apologize like that, Matthew steadied his ragged breathing and spoke.
“Dammit, what am I doing right before the final battle…”
“I said I’m sorry…”
It wasn't common for Patrick to apologize repeatedly to someone. But that was how much of an insult his words had been. He was just that worried.
Even as a 5-star knight, Matthew’s strength was woefully insufficient to guarantee his safety in this final battle. Of course, Patrick knew everyone had to risk their lives. Patrick himself was the one who had conscripted the forces of the entire continent, shouting that everyone must unite to increase their chances of victory even by a fraction.
And yet, he couldn't momentarily erase the selfish desire to keep his friend alive.
“If you say that kind of crap again…”
It was then.
“Master!”
Persona rushed over and shouted urgently. Her face was grim.
“The Gate to the Hall of Subjugated Demons is about to open.”
“Right. I see.”
Patrick sighed and sheathed his sword. He gave his orders.
“Line up the entire army in front of the Gate.”
“Yes, sir!”
The moment of the final showdown had arrived.
* * *
Vrrrrmmm…
The Gate leading to the Heavenly Demon’s Hall of Subjugated Demons finally expanded to its limit.
Until recently, the Gate had been about ten meters wide, but now it had transformed into a massive rift spanning hundreds of meters. Patrick stood before that Gate with everyone else.
It’s finally starting.
This would likely be the final battle. Patrick closed his eyes for a moment. This was a habit he’d had since his previous life before any truly important battle.
He closed his eyes and thought.
About what?
About what he had to protect.
In his previous life, the faces of his Master, his fellow disciples, his friends, and his wives had come to mind. And now…
Mother, Father…
Starting with his parents, everyone in the Schneider Duchy came to mind. Though the Duchy had grown immensely in scale, it was still filled with people precious to him.
In that sense, the duty of the Radiant Dragon Hero and the duty of the Double Dragon were essentially the same.
I will protect them.
No matter what it takes.
The moment Patrick opened his eyes…
“The Gate is opening.”
He heard Persona’s voice.
Simultaneously, the demonic beasts of hell began to pour out from beyond the Gate all at once. The first thing to greet those inhuman forms as they surged forward was…
Radiant Dragon Twelve Sword Styles.
Second Style.
Great Dragon Cross Sword.
A massive cruciform slash.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The enormous cross-shaped strike slammed into those surging out of the Gate, crushing and pulverizing the demonic beasts of hell.
“Whoa…”
“Terrifying.”
“He’s a monster, as always.”
The Allied Forces, who had been momentarily intimidated by the appearance of the monsters, regained their spirit at Patrick’s single move. Then…
“Let’s go!”
No long speeches were needed. With that one shout, Patrick took the lead and charged into the Gate before anyone else.
The sight of his back made everyone’s heart race.
Approximately 6,000 elite troops followed that small back and plunged beyond the Gate.
To protect their world.