Chapter 30. To the Northern Continent.
Infinite joy.
The ruler of darkness has descended upon this land,
Bestowing eternal life and eternal death upon his lowly servants.
Ah, we shall advance toward our savior.
Darkness pierced, the crows flew in. Bearing their jet-black feathers, they headed toward the capital. Singing at the top of their lungs, they advanced step by step.
The watchmen atop the walls rang the bells frantically. The deafening clamor spread long across the dawn sky.
BOOONG! BOOOOOOONG—!!
A dozen figures wearing crow masks advanced fearlessly toward the north gate.
The alarm sounded, and soldiers poured out in droves. Knights on standby mounted their horses and charged forth. It was still the murky dawn—if not for their booming song, they might not have been spotted until they got close.
The knights surrounded the demon cultists. There were even orcs among them. Just as the veteran knight was about to order their execution, one of the cultists bellowed.
"We are emissaries. We have come to deliver the words of the great sovereign."
"Don't talk bullshit—! Filthy heretics like you—!"
"Even enemies treat emissaries as guests. Does the Empire have no laws—?!"
The knight who heard that fell into thought. If they truly were emissaries, he couldn't just kill them offhandedly. But these were demon cultists, whom you were supposed to execute on sight without mercy.
While he hesitated, the knight ultimately decided to report to the imperial palace. A subordinate knight galloped back to the capital.
"Wait until a reply comes."
The knights encircled the cultists, spears at the ready. The cultists began singing their hymn loudly once more.
"Fuck, what annoying bastards."
The knights were irritated by the grating song. They just waited for the order to kill them right then and there.
They remained in standoff for a long time like that. As dawn broke, a reddish light began to spread across the pitch-black sky. Even then, the cultists didn't stop singing.
The veteran knight told them to shut up several times, but they paid no heed. He resolved that if the order from the palace was to kill, he'd make them die slowly and painfully.
The sun had fully risen above the horizon not long before when the knight who'd gone for orders returned. He rushed straight to the veteran knight.
"Let just one in, they said."
"And the rest?"
"Hold their executions for now."
At the veteran knight's words that only one could enter, one cultist stepped forward boldly. It was the one who'd been bandying words with the veteran knight earlier.
"Keep watch on the rest."
Soon, another knight order emerged from the capital. They escorted the demon cultist emissary into the city, surrounding him tightly.
The booming song erupted once more. Naturally, the capital was in an uproar. A demon cultist, who deserved death, had dared to show up claiming to be an emissary.
People packed the main streets, clamoring to gawk at the spectacle. It was the first time in history the demon cult had sent an emissary like this. Of course they'd be curious.
The cultist sang thunderously. It was about the demon ruler descending to save everyone.
"Die—!"
"Drop dead, you demon cult scum—!"
The crowd shouted like that. But the cultist showed no sign of intimidation and kept singing.
Soon they arrived before the inner palace. Naturally, no one was foolish enough to bring a demon cultist inside. The 15th Prince was already waiting outside the inner palace for the cultist he'd designated as emissary.
Beside the 15th Prince were two court mages, four guard knights, a healer, and a buff mage on standby. Prepared for any contingency.
"Bring him."
The cultist strode forward confidently. He still wore his crow mask.
The 15th Prince sneered at him.
"Your courage is commendable."
Then came a raspy voice like iron being scraped.
"Alfred."
The prince's smile vanished. The knights drew their swords halfway. For the insolence of uttering His Highness's name so casually.
"Hold."
15th Prince Alfred raised a hand slightly. The knights lowered their half-drawn swords.
"Is the emperor scared?"
"You bastard—! How dare a lowly worm like you—!!"
Alfred bellowed. The killing intent around them intensified sharply. Still, the cultist chuckled calmly.
"Fine. Then I'll declare it here."
He spread his arms wide. Spun around once, sweeping his gaze over everyone, and shouted.
"The Lord of Darkness has descended upon this land! In his mercy, he grants even you irreverent fools a fair chance. Kneel at his feet and swear your loyalty now, and he shall bestow eternal life and eternal death—! Ah, merciful sovereign—!"
The cultist dropped to his knees right there. He tilted his head to the sky and raised his arms high.
"Ah, the sovereign's name is…."
His body began to tremble violently. Something felt off. The mages layered up protective barriers, and the knights raised their swords and shields.
"Kigaaaaant—."
At the mention of 6th Lord Kigant's name, the cultist's body exploded. Blood and flesh sprayed everywhere.
Aaack. The knights hit by it screamed and collapsed to the ground.
It was a curse. They went blind and deaf. And they kept screaming only Kigant's name.
"Kigant, Kigant, Kigant—!"
"Kigaaaaant—!!"
Blood poured from every orifice as they died. After the chaos dragged on for a while, the incident finally wrapped up.
· · ·
Ji-hyuk opened his heavy eyes. His palm immediately felt something soft and squishy. It was Yael's breast.
The hero's body ached all over. He'd shot so much cum overnight it felt like his balls had been wrung dry. The bed was a total mess.
Yael looked like she'd sleep the whole day in this state. Her drug-fueled lust showed no signs of cooling. Even half out of her mind, she'd mumbled for his cock. That said it all.
…Truth be told, Ji-hyuk had gone half-mad too, chewing and sucking her body like crazy. The marks were all over her pale naked skin.
Ji-hyuk threw on some clothes haphazardly and called the two maids outside. He ordered them to keep it secret, wash Yael, and clean the room.
The hero headed to the bath to wash up, then to the dining hall. He'd cum so much his stomach hurt from hunger. He filled his belly, enjoyed a brief moment of leisure, then went to his office.
Not long after he started work, estate manager Durka came to the office. He was looking for Ji-hyuk urgently.
"What is it?"
"…She has come again."
Ji-hyuk slammed down his quill with a clack and sighed deeply. He knew who "she" meant without asking. That damn muscle bitch, obviously.
He wanted to say he was busy and send her away, but if he pissed her off and she smashed up the furniture in a rage, it'd be more hassle. Better to humor her a bit and send her off nicely.
Ji-hyuk said he understood and rose from his seat. He headed to the reception room.
…His body felt languid from all the fucking yesterday; yawns kept coming.
As expected, the muscle woman was in the reception room. She was sipping tea elegantly—mismatched with her bulk—while gazing at the garden.
As Ji-hyuk entered, the princess looked at him and smiled meaningfully.
"Hey, friend."
Friend my ass. After hurling every curse under the sun yesterday—fucker this, son of a bitch that—now she acted all chummy.
It was annoying as hell, but what could he do? That was her nature. Best to avoid her if possible, but he couldn't outright ignore her.
…Objectively, she was someone useful for the final battle against the Great Demon King. Annoying or not, maintaining a cooperative relationship was smart.
"Long time no see, Your Highness. …How's your arm?"
"Fuck, thanks to you slicing it off so pretty, it's itching like a motherfucker. Fine otherwise, except it stings whenever I think of you."
"Glad to hear it."
"Yeah, I'm so fucking grateful, next time I'll cut off your dick as thanks."
"Sorry, still got uses for it."
"Nah, I'll cut it nice and keep it safe. Suck on it when I'm bored. Bet it'd taste fucking delicious."
The princess grinned, spouting that creepy dick-collector shit. They shared the trait of being utter bitches too.
"So, to what do I owe the visit?"
The playfulness vanished from her face.
"Heard the rumors?"
"…What rumors?"
"You haven't? It's a huge shitstorm."
"No, nothing."
Ji-hyuk had no idea what this muscle bitch was on about.
"Early this morning, a demon cultist barged into the capital claiming to be an emissary."
Ah—. That's when Ji-hyuk realized what had happened. Demon King Kigant had finally descended.
The princess continued.
"He uttered the name Kigant. Turns out it's a Demon King."
"I see."
"And this morning, a mission popped from the Prophecy Well. Eliminate Kigant."
Eliminate Kigant.
Ji-hyuk silently stared at Ganesha. She crossed her legs.
"Discussed it with Alfred. How to handle this."
…He had a bad feeling.
"We've decided five hero teams, including me, head to the Northern Continent for the mission. …That's why I came to you. For some reason, you were the first one I thought of."
Ganesha chuckled.
"What do you say… wanna go?"
It felt way off from what he'd expected.