Kalia Rune's Delegation
Sirayunsul harbored doubts. She hadn't understood Lucius's words at first. As he charged toward the gate, he had clearly conveyed something to her. Go to the North at once and meet Rowen—the bastard son. What the hell am I supposed to do with that illegitimate whelp? she'd asked herself, but no immediate answer came.
She pondered for hours like an idiot. A little thought would have revealed his intentions. The North was currently land dominated by the Degeneration Demon Cult, and it had waged war with Arkanthia. It was merely driving out those who ruled the North, but a war was a war. And yet Arkanthia still stood strong. The Pentagon Empire was ruled by the Prophets. That meant they had eyes on all four continents. If they struck Arkanthia, those bastards would move. Kalia Rune acting alone would be suicide. The power of their magitech corrupted humans. Rowen was someone who surpassed that vile force. Sirayunsul knew it well. Rumors abounded. They said he'd even temporarily summoned the Ice Dragon, guardian of the North—truly remarkable folk.
Lucius's intent was to ally with the North and topple the Demon Cult. The East's enemy was Greed, but the North's was Degeneration. But with Greed's Demon Cult returned to Pandemonium—and no known path there—the East's foe naturally became Arkanthia. An alliance with the North was inevitable; they were fated to meet sooner or later.
The illegitimate son of that man. As a child, the powerhouse of the North who taught her how to fight—Kadan, no less than a master—had sired a bastard who was now king. The world was something you had to live long to see.
Sirayunsul issued orders without a moment's hesitation. She secured a ship bound for the North and handpicked her most capable subordinates.
...A union is the answer. The Demon Cult had set foot in Kalia Rune too. That meant Degeneration could swallow them just as it had Arkanthia or occupied the North's capital. They weren't safe either. Lucius telling her to meet Rowen probably carried this dual meaning.
And so.
"No need for formalities, right? Bastard."
She set foot in the North.
*
A massive circle of pristine white crystal. Rowen and Sirayunsul at the forefront, flanked by exorcists and the Frost Knight Order, formed a ring. Valenos's brief manifestation in the mortal realm had frozen them all solid—not from frost's power, but from the overwhelming presence that paralyzed their bodies.
"Then let's start the meeting."
"...Should I call this bold or just plain insane..."
"I'll take both as compliments."
The meeting began amid the chaos. No fool here was oblivious to the situation. As if words were needed. These folk from Kalia Rune had lost friends, comrades, family to Greed and Cain's rampage. The North had suffered heavy casualties from the Degeneration Demon Cult's assault on Snowfall. Rowen was among the victims.
"That fucker Cain isn't the priority."
"...What about Lucius?"
"Don't worry about it."
"Hmph...? Fine, whatever. If you say so, it must be. So what we need to discuss now is Arkanthia."
"Spot on."
Sirayunsul's eyes turned deadly serious. This was about slaying demons, but to outsiders, it meant war between continents. Surely not everyone in Arkanthia was Demon Cult. There'd be ordinary humans like them.
"No helping it. Sorry for them, but all we can do is tell 'em to survive with everything they've got."
"...Contradiction."
"War's a bundle of contradictions from the start."
"Doesn't sit right with me."
Just excuses needed. Wars begin with contradictions.
"Bastard. Anyone'd think you've lived a long life. You a kid who's seen one war and thinks he can spout that shit so casually?"
"Who said I've only been through one war? Sirayunsul, you know nothing about me. You've heard stories, but not the truth."
"...Truth? That piques my interest. A puny 18-year-old brat as king is laughable enough."
Oddly, Sirayunsul was pissed. Ever since Rowen mentioned Arkanthia's humans. She was foul-mouthed by nature, but this was tame. Still, her raw emotions hit home.
"Why are you so pissed?"
"I hate contradictions. Personal opinion. I'd choose to wipe out every last human in Arkanthia."
"...Even the innocent ones?"
"Demons are cunning bastards. Who's to say they ain't hiding as humans? Smartest move is killing 'em all without mercy. Kill 'em and shut our mouths—world never knows the truth."
Rowen genuinely thought she was a demon. Kalia Rune would clutch their necks at such words, but her exorcists took it in stride. No denial—this was Sirayunsul's essence. She acted on conviction, blind to sin. Demonic behavior from a Kalia Rune exorcist? But she believed it truth. No guilt, no remorse. Pure sincerity. Thus, no sin committed.
"...Why's an exorcist so damn demonic?"
"Blasphemy?"
"Dead serious."
"...Whatever. I've heard it before. So what's your truth?"
Arahan stepped in.
"There's no reason for the young master to tell you."
Past-life talk was tough. Hard to believe, and even if believed, it'd sow chaos. Arahan knew Rowen's heart and intervened.
"Shut it, maid."
"Heh, you think I'm some ordinary maid?"
"Arahan. Got a big head now, huh? Talking back to the one who fed and raised you."
"Yunsl, you're not my master. Nor my parent. My master's far greater and grander than you."
"Ha! Some hero? No exorcist greater than me exists. I'm the top dog—that's why I'm branch leader. You don't know that?"
"...Idiot. My master'd smack your empty head for sure. Hope it doesn't explode."
"Both of you, enough."
Rowen intervened. No clue their past beef, but he had to stop the ugly vibe. They gathered to cooperate, not fight. With Greed's Demon Cult back in Pandemonium, East and North needed to unite against Arkanthia. For human safety, world safety. Above all, he got Sirayunsul's sensitivity. Valid point—demons were sly. Could hide as humans, like Muron. Prophet Muron could shapeshift. No assuming he still could. Even lesser demons managed it.
"...Bastard, I know what you're thinking. Don't wanna sacrifice the innocent."
"Yeah."
"Lucius thought similar and let Cain slip. Once dipped in evil, forever evil. Repent or not, past lingers eternally."
"...Got it. So we plan assuming we raze all of Arkanthia?"
"Yeah. Sorry, but play along with my view."
With that, Rowen unrolled a massive map. The world map from Kadan's room. Much unknown, but charting known realms: icy continent, vibrant one, dark one, lush green. North, East, South, West. He placed the cold ice seal on the North, black-white yin-yang on the East. Red demon pillar on Arkanthia.
"As you know, they've got magitech."
"The power behind the golem that killed Lord Kadan?"
"Right. Filthy power turning humans to demonkin too."
Rowen sighed deeply. Annoying as ever. He just outmatched it now.
"Golems ain't a big threat to me anymore. Prophets are the issue now."
"Got intel. Greed had no Prophets. Only Degeneration does. Greed's led by some whore called Lucretia."
"Whore? Succubus?"
"Yeah, that bitch moved Cain."
"...Karma. Cain'd stick to any skirt."
Questions lingered. Greed planted the demonic seed in Cain—targeted him at least two years back.
"Why Cain of all people?"
"Beats us too."
"Demon Cult aims for Demon King revival. If just making him demonkin, no slow two-year watch."
"Bastard, what do you think their goal was in corrupting Cain?"
"Right. Not just demonkin."
Think, Rowen. Think. Ancestor's spirit settled in his mind. Valenos genius—no fighter, but sharpest scholar. Kasiel Valenos merged with him.
Help me.
Think for yourself. You already know the answer.
Me?
Consider the primal reason they made your half-brother a demonkin. Enemy is Greed. Cain's lust—a greed facet—stronger than most. Why target him?
...
Yes. That's it. Don't overthink—return to basics, probe the root.
Rowen pondered. Demon Cult's goal: Demon King revival. Cain was greedier, more jealous than most. Easily accepted Greed's power. From their view, Valenos blood made prime recruit. But no two-year stakeout for talent alone. He was green—no combat skill. So another purpose. Worth watching two years: greed itself. Cain's sexual greed unmatched, unbeatable.
...Demon King's body sealed.
Lightning struck his mind—he realized.
Seeking a new vessel?
If using greed-strongest Cain as medium for mortal revival...!
It all fit. He knew Cain's greed best. Not for nothing he'd claimed brotherhood 16 years. Cain dismissed Rowen as brother, but Rowen saw shared blood. Mere thought, though...
Haha. Found the answer, eh?
"...The Demon King's vessel?"
"Vessel?"
"If aiming to descend the Demon King into Cain's body, it explains everything so far."
"But Cain..."
"Yeah. Current body'd shatter before descent—ruin the vessel."
So what now! Rowen knew ways to gain power without breaking.
"Direct contract."
"What's that?"
"Like mine with Valenos—no body breakage, inherit power via contract."
"...No way."
"Yeah. Speculation, but if Greed's king contracts Cain, could grow him without collapse."
Like raising a pet. Infuse greed, lust, desire—whisper, manipulate, amplify power, nurture fitting vessel. Snatch body at end—problem solved. Greed's king, Barbatos, was that kind of bastard.
He placed white-sword seal on Pandemonium.
"Lucius is here now."
Red mage seal atop it.
"At my request, Mio went to rescue him."
"Mio? No way... the Great Mage?"
"Yep."
"...Bastard. What the hell are you? Commanding a Great Mage."
"Just a friend."
"...Friends with her? She's a grandma by now."
"Age is just looks. Inside, same as ever. Known her forever. Plus, appearance still in her prime."
"...Hah. That's why 'don't worry' earlier?"
Anyway.
"No sweat on Lucius. Mio's got it."
"And Cain?"
"Wrap this quick, I'll go myself."
"To Pandemonium?"
"Yeah. He'll rest easier if I handle it personally."
Sirayunsul nodded. She saw it as Rowen's minimal mercy for Cain. Tough words, but twitching brows betrayed fury or grief—blurry line. Rowen wrestled there.
Sirayunsul shrugged.
"Doesn't change we focus on Arkanthia."
"Nope."
"Sent five direct subs to Arkanthia. Avoid detection, they'll return safe."
"We'll send scouts too."
"Pentagon Prophets?"
"Muron and Tesiah dead. Two left, including Nom."
"No names?"
"Yeah. Tesiah mentioned Nom. Probably strongest."
"Hmph..."
Former empire, Pentagon—now magi-corrupted hell fragment. Raid it? Invade Arkanthia to draw 'em? Hurry the plan. Before Cain worsened, punch that ugly mug again.
"Two years quiet. They weren't idle. Magitech advanced maybe."
"But that Claus occupying Snowfall? You offed him easy."
"True, haven't hit Arkanthia in two years. Prophets are Demon King contractors, lives as bait."
"...Troublesome."
Truly... troublesome. Arkanthia now unknown wilds. Scouts return for countermeasures. Talk now useless. Plus, exorcists mute as clamped clams, eyeing cues. Warriors from battlefields, yet no input...
No progress.
"Won't solve today."
"Blame yourself, bastard."
"Me?"
"Yeah. You summoned great Valenos suddenly—scared 'em shitless."
"...My fault?"
"Yours."
Arahan glared at Sirayunsul beside Rowen.
Keep that snide bitch yapping at young master—how to smack her...
She wanted payback. High exorcists crumbling under Valenos's aura she withstood? Lucius would've stood firm. Pitiful they were his seniors, her juniors.
Arahan wasn't annoyed—no.
"Don't blame the young master."
"Shut it, runaway brat."
"You shut it. And you lot—speak up! I endured it. Ancestor popped in and out—why so scared?"
"Fair. Not kids—your silence stalls us!"
"Yunsl, manage your subs first. Fit for war like this?"
Arahan smug, Sirayunsul's cheeks flushed shame-red.
"...This bitch—!"
"Heh, wanna go?"
Holy power flared. Rosbriel weighed heavy gravity. Kalia Rune kin bared faint killing intent. Tensions escalated.
Rowen's sigh deepened. No end to this meeting...
"Fuckin' spinning."
Agreed.
"Valenos, save me."
Can't dodge pain? Enjoy it.
"Fuck this shit. This why we allied..."
A wrinkle creased Rowen's brow.