Chapter 111
Chapter 111
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: Demon Descending Upon the Kingdom (3)
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The great Master had issued a command to the overseer, Celia.
Everyone in the dungeon focused intently on her words.
"To spread the Master's will, our first goal is the salvation of the Sail Kingdom."
At her declaration, the guardian of the first floor, Necros, tilted his head.
"Clack?"
It was a question of why they were going to save a human kingdom.
In response to Necros's query, Celia explained slowly.
"Right now, the White Church is committing utterly brutal acts within the kingdom."
She described the current dire situation in the Sail Kingdom.
And she explained that the White Church harbored ambitions to swallow the kingdom whole.
"...The Church has been continuously encroaching on the territory of the Master we serve. What do you think would happen if the Church devoured the kingdom?"
Only then did Necros nod in understanding.
The Church had indeed been persistently invading the dungeon.
The dungeon's current location was in the Silent Mountains, and the Sail Kingdom was a nation nearby.
If the Sail Kingdom fell into the White Church's hands?
The outcome was obvious even without hearing more.
"To dare displease the Master. They deserve to die ten thousand deaths."
This was the perfect chance to formally hold the Church accountable for their crimes.
"On top of that, we plan to offer the kingdom to the Master."
Celia had been in ongoing communication with the princess of the Sail Kingdom.
It might be difficult at first, but her plan was to aid Princess Irena and seize the Sail Kingdom.
However, one variable had arisen.
A favorable one, at that.
'To think the Master would provide so much help...'
Celia's gaze turned to Molu.
She wasn't the only being that had crossed over from another dimension.
Even the gargoyle guarding the Master's residence had come through.
It was undoubtedly the gargoyle acquired from the Demon Realm Merchant Guild's auction house.
The once-unremarkable gargoyle now stood on equal footing with the dungeon's mid-bosses.
'Her mana is incredibly pure. As expected of the Master.'
Celia nodded as if it were only natural.
Just Molu and the gargoyle sent by the Master would provide tremendous reinforcements.
On top of that, He'd even sent Better, the lieutenant aiding Azmo.
Thanks to this, she could devise a more perfect scenario than originally planned.
Celia smiled as she spoke.
The broad framework had already been outlined by the Master.
They would act according to His will, while she, as overseer, handled the details.
"Per the Master's will, Molu will serve as the supreme commander for this operation."
Celia introduced Molu to everyone.
After all, she was the key to this endeavor.
'Truly a fearsome one.'
Celia had only intended to swallow the Sail Kingdom whole.
And to place Princess Irena on the throne as queen.
There would undoubtedly be massive backlash, of course. Still, she judged that steadily expanding their influence would eventually allow them to fully consume the kingdom.
But the Master apparently desired a swift conclusion.
Just as Molu had swayed Riana, the deputy leader of the Holy Knights, now the target had shifted to the Sail Kingdom.
'It must mean capturing the hearts of everyone in the Sail Kingdom, just like that miracle back then.'
If that succeeded, the Sail Kingdom would surely transform into a nation praising the Master.
'A kingdom where all praise the Master.'
Not merely ruled, but one that truly moved for the Master's sake.
Celia marveled at the Master's hidden intent.
The word "great" fell short of describing Him.
"Molu will accompany the kingdom's Princess Irena."
At Celia's words, skeleton knights brought over suits of armor.
Plain armor such as adventurers might wear.
Molu was set to perform a miracle soon.
Wearing royal or Holy Knight armor from the start would diminish the miracle's impact.
This was all part of Celia's calculations.
"Oh, and it might be best to change Molu's sword as well."
Celia also pointed out the magic sword Molu carried.
No matter how much holy power Molu possessed, carrying a magic sword was unacceptable.
The constant aura emanating from it risked detection by the Church.
"Take this one instead."
Celia handed Molu the sword at the Death Knight's waist.
The blade was forged from a wyvernling's tooth. It was a weapon acquired through auction at the Demon Realm Merchant Guild.
She had given it to the Death Knight, but the Master's command took precedence now.
Molu set her magic sword on the ground and gripped the one Celia offered.
"It suits you perfectly. Even if it's from a wyvernling, this sword made from its tooth boasts unmatched durability and cutting power, superior to any ordinary famed blade."
Moreover, Molu suffered no ill effects without the magic sword.
The skill 'Loyalty as a Holy Knight (S+)' was already linked to Yi Kang-hyun, after all.
As long as Molu's existence persisted, the skill's effects would continue uninterrupted.
However, another eyed the magic sword covetously.
"Ma...gic...sword..."
It was Verter, once the deputy leader of the Holy Knights who had invaded the dungeon.
Verter had chased the vampire Aren, who wielded the magic sword, all the way here.
He had ended up slain by the Death Knight and reduced to his current dullahan state.
The head in Verter's grasp kept muttering "magic sword."
Even in death, his possessiveness over it burned strong.
But Celia would not permit it.
"Death Knight, you keep this magic sword."
A Death Knight could wield it without major issues.
The Death Knight, pickaxe in hand, nodded.
"That wraps things up nicely. Next, I'll discuss our formations. First, Necros."
She called on the floor guardian Necros first.
Necros, wielder of Corpse Explosion, and with skills to turn corpses into skeletons—an arch-lich worthy of the title "one-man army."
But for this operation, no variables would be tolerated.
"I'll assign Necros fifteen skeleton knights and Verter."
Fifteen 3-star skeleton knights.
Plus the 4-star dullahan Verter—that alone was a formidable force.
"Ma...gic...sword..."
Verter kept crying out for the magic sword until his eyes met those of his new superior, Necros.
"Ma...gi..."
Necros possessed the Corpse Explosion skill.
"......"
Verter's mouth snapped shut.
The formations were generous.
With the new monsters bestowed by the Master, they were overflowing.
If anything, the limit of a hundred units felt regrettable.
Of course, it hardly mattered.
All were prepared to lay down their lives for the Master.
They were no foes to be underestimated.
Preparations didn't take long.
"Now, everyone—advance."
At Celia's command, the monsters began marching out of the dungeon.
The Death Knight picked up the magic sword from the floor.
Zzt.
Pain shot through the Death Knight's hand.
Fortunately, it wasn't severe.
"......"
The Death Knight gripped the magic sword and headed out of the dungeon.
"Count! Have you truly joined hands with demons?!"
The Titan priest bellowed.
He led the Church's delegation.
He had attended the banquet at Count Bierton's mansion.
What should have been a joyous affair now reeked not of delicacies, but of blood.
The floor was littered with corpses, their blood pooling into puddles.
"I know nothing of it! If anything, isn't this all a Church trap?!"
Count Bierton shouted in protest at the Titan priest's accusation.
Why were skeletons—clad in knightly armor, no less—suddenly in his mansion?
"You dare slander the Church's honor with that filthy mouth? Enough. Holy Knights, advance! Take the count alive! I will interrogate him myself!"
At the Titan priest's order, the Holy Knights, who had been in a standoff, slowly pressed forward.
The count sighed in despair at the sight.
'Damn it! I should have listened to the head butler...!'
Head butler Henrik had appeared midway through the banquet.
He had warned that the Church was suspicious.
But the count had denied it himself. He had even thrown the butler into the basement dungeon for the insult.
Regretting it now was pointless.
The deed was done.
'Of all things...'
The count's gaze flicked sideways.
Amid the fallen corpses lay the shattered remains of skeletons.
The skeleton knights had sided with the count's knights, relentlessly attacking the Church's Holy Knights.
In this situation, claims of the count contracting with demons wouldn't seem far-fetched.
Of course, the count believed it was all a Church trap.
'To prepare this thoroughly. Those Church bastards...'
A meticulously laid Church trap.
He had merely fallen into it.
'If I can just escape here...!'
But the Church side boasted not only the Titan priest, but also Gerard, leader of the Holy Knights.
Their prowess was exceptional.
When those two swung their blades, the knights' armor parted like paper.
The count might have more knights numerically, but qualitatively, the Church held overwhelming superiority.
Indeed, the count's side was gradually being pushed back.
"Summon every knight in the mansion!"
But the count's cry echoed unanswered.
The remaining butlers and maids had already fled.
Count Bierton bit his lip.
'At least I need to escape this place...'
Only by breaking free could he proclaim his innocence to the world.
Captured like this, he'd die unjustly branded a heretic by the Church.
Being labeled a heretic by the Church was a fate worse than death.
'My wife...'
His family, and all blood relatives, would be dragged before the Church.
Some even said suicide was preferable.
'I absolutely cannot let that happen!'
Of course, the count had no intention of suicide.
The kingdom would soon be his.
'Yes, just wrap this up!'
He would subdue them, then march on the palace to seize it.
Once the kingdom was his and the gates locked tight, all would be well.
'Good. There's still a chance.'
The count gripped his sword anew.
Blue light enveloped the blade. Aura.
"Come, then! I stake my noble honor on this fight!"
Simultaneously, his knights ignited their auras as well.
Already clashing blades with Holy Knights, survival demanded it.
"Ha! Is that your so-called honor? You possess nothing but corruption and betrayal!"
For a betrayer of humanity, allied with demons, to speak of honor?
The Titan priest scoffed at the count's words.
The two sides leveled their swords at each other.
Just as slaughter was about to commence—
The lights in the banquet hall began to extinguish.
"......!"
At the same moment, the sky outside darkened.
White Church central headquarters.
In a building on the outskirts of the headquarters, children's laughter rang ceaselessly.
Twenty children sat in a single room.
Before them stood an elderly priest with a kindly smile.
"Heh heh, such passion—it's a joy to behold. Never forget that all we enjoy is a blessing from the Goddess."
"Yes, Priest!"
The elderly priest gazed at each child's face in turn.
These children were the future pillars of the Church.
His body had aged. Yet teaching these budding sprouts reignited his waning passion.
'This must be fate.'
His remaining days were few. Still, he thought positively.
'The day I meet the Goddess draws near.'
The day his life ended here would be the day he beheld Her.
Thus, he taught the children with even greater zeal, hoping to proudly declare his mission fulfilled when he met Her...
"Today's lesson ends here. If you have questions, feel free to ask."
The sun was setting outside the window.
Ordinary children might eagerly await the end of class, but these were no ordinary children.
At the priest's words, they raised hands, eager to question first.
The elderly priest swelled with pride at the sight.
They would live in service to the Goddess.
Some would become priests spreading Her word; others, swords defending the Church.
Some might even battle the forces of evil opposing the Church.
Life would bring trials, but he had no doubt they would overcome all with eyes fixed on the Goddess.
The priest selected one child with a raised hand.
The child beamed, thrilled to be chosen, and asked her question.
"Priest! I want to know about the Dark Empress!"
The being she mentioned had terrorized the continent in ancient times.
The Dark Empress, Salestra.
A full 7-star calamity monster.
At the question, the children's eyes sparkled as they turned to the priest.
"Heh heh..."
Still children, after all.
The priest thought so.
Growing youths were curious about the wide world.
They held particular fascination for monsters, especially tales of the Dark Empress.
A 7-star being that nearly devoured the continent.
To counter her, the Church allied with every nation on the continent—and ultimately succeeded in sealing Salestra.
The children thrilled at the Church's victory.
The priest gathered his thoughts and began the tale.
"That being appeared without warning. On a pitch-black night."
The event was centuries past.
The elderly priest knew it only from books and stories. Still, he strived for vividness.
"Suddenly, stars began falling from the sky, and moonlight was swallowed by darkness."
The children swallowed hard, hanging on his words.
"A sky shrouded in darkness. But soon, red points appeared against the black."
The red points were a point of debate. Some claimed they were falling stars, but it mattered little.
His goal was simply to entertain the children.
"At that moment—"
As the priest spoke, sunlight vanished from the sky outside.
"......"
It wasn't mere evening.
The darkness had fallen abruptly.
"Wow! Just like you said, Priest—it's night now!"
The children clapped and chattered in delight.
But the priest's expression grew grave.
He slowly approached the window.
Stars twinkled in the darkened sky.
For the sun to suddenly vanish?
This was no ordinary occurrence.
And then.
"Wh-what?!"
The stars embroidered across the sky began falling all at once.
"P-Priest...?"
Only now realizing the oddity, the children looked to the elderly priest. Some even teared up.
But the priest stared skyward in a daze, murmuring softly.
"Oh... Goddess."
Stars plummeting from the sky.
"Please... look upon us with mercy."
Red points began emerging against the black heavens.