Chapter 125
“Support the left flank!”
The knights hired by Sancho and the Lighthouse Knights fought surprisingly well together despite it being their first time coordinating, holding their ground against the demons.
Mikhail detonated corpses intermittently, but the knights, having experienced it once before, cleverly evaded the explosions each time while continuing to fend off the demons.
However, Mikhail wore an intrigued expression, like someone waiting for something, and wasn't actively attacking them.
“I can’t figure out what that dog-like bastard is aiming for. There’s definitely something.”
“…I suspect the girl inside might be the target.”
Rogério glanced behind him.
He seemed to recall hearing that the one called a Mage was trying some kind of sealing, but it wasn't going well.
“Whatever that insidious elf bastard is scheming, it will all be resolved once the Commander arrives.”
Kelvin’s statement was filled with blind faith, lacking any objectivity, but the other members trusted Karl just as much.
“It doesn’t matter what kind of demon resurrects from behind; as long as the Commander comes, it’ll be fine.”
Definir, Rogério, and Diogo all agreed with that thought.
“Let’s hold on for now. Isn’t that what we’re good at?”
Kelvin wiped the blood flowing from the corner of his mouth and emitted white light once more.
Along with him, the knights beside him also swung their swords.
The demons swarmed endlessly, yet the knights, despite their exhaustion, did not give up swinging their swords.
Then, at some point, the white light that had only flowed from Kelvin’s sword began to emanate from the swords of the knights beside him as well.
It was a different kind of light from ordinary aura.
This power, seemingly a fusion of Divine Power and aura, allowed the knights to cut down the demons more easily than before.
And as the individually shining lights seemed to merge into one at some moment, the white light began to burn the demons' bodies, turning them to ash.
“…You people interfered with my amusement last time too. If this continues, I can no longer just watch.”
Mikhail frowned upon seeing the knights emitting bright light and snapped his fingers.
Instantly, the corpses of the fallen demons around turned into red mist, beginning to fill the area.
“Just wait a little longer. Then the great birth will occur. After that, I will— Hmm?”
Mikhail, who had intended to engulf the people with red mist by snapping his fingers, frowned at the sudden feeling of magical energy.
Swoooooosh!
At that moment, a refreshing wind began to blow from behind the Lighthouse Knights.
The wind initially pushed the red mist away very slowly, but then it suddenly became a gust, blowing fiercely forward.
The half-demons caught in the whirlwind-like gust had their bodies torn apart by the wind and were flung far away, while Mikhail, who was within the wind’s range, snapped his fingers to form a red barrier.
“I didn’t expect to meet a Mage here.”
Mikhail’s gaze fixed on a point beyond the Lighthouse Knights.
And from there, a muscular Mage in a gray robe revealed himself.
“Hmm, for a Mage…”
“The pointy-ear’s tongue is deceitful, spewing only lies from its trap. There's nothing worth listening to.”
Mikhail’s eyes hardened as he saw Emilio, who flexed his bulging muscles and raised his staff.
“The Wandering Sage, Emilio Gavira. I didn't know you were still alive.”
“Did you expect me to die while you lived? Give it up.”
“…Still the same, I see.”
“Well, shall we continue?”
“Of course. You’re not unaware of what lies within there either, are you?”
“How pathetic. Do you truly believe a demon will move according to your wishes?”
“Of course. Because that fruit is a special one I created.”
“You pretend to be clever, but you are truly foolish.”
At Emilio's continued provocations, Mikhail snapped his fingers.
Simultaneously, explosions occurred around Emilio.
“Tsk!”
Emilio swung his staff, and instantly, wind swirled around him, blocking the explosions.
At that moment, more elves clad in black robes appeared around Mikhail.
“Shall we get serious?”
With that sly smile, Mikhail and the elves began to move.
***
Karl was gulping down potions while riding his horse.
Alongside that, the ink-black bracelet was drawing the surrounding energy into Karl and circulating it.
[Gullveig's Sacred Relic: Enhances Aura and Qi management ability by 1.5 times, automatically absorbs Qi during non-combat situations]
If not for this sacred relic given by Sergei, Karl might have met his end long ago amidst the numerous crises.
Thanks to the body transformed after consuming the elixir previously, his recovery speed was monstrously fast.
Adding the potions provided by the Order to that, Karl had recovered most of his physical strength during the journey.
“Forcing your body to activate so much must also be taxing. Are you alright?”
Karim, having stepped into the Master realm long ago, knew well how strenuous Karl's current actions were on the body.
“I’m suffering thanks to you.”
“Don’t overdo it. We still have time before we arrive.”
Karl nodded, but he felt his heart growing impatient.
[Quest: To the Hell of the Mortal World]
Combining the ominously named quest window with his instincts honed by surviving on this continent so far, he felt that this time was truly dangerous.
“We must arrive quickly, somehow. The situation is surely not good.”
Without any rest, Karl pushed his horse onward.
Silver, being a steed beyond a fine horse, bordering on a famed one, endured Karl’s forced march, but the horses of the other Holy Knights could not.
“The horses can’t take it anymore. We need to rest.”
Nod.
Karl reluctantly nodded.
After a brief rest, the knights resumed their forced march and arrived at Bairot in a very short time.
“Ah… By Essus…!”
The gasp that escaped Godfrey’s lips as he passed through Bairot's gate was due to the horrific tragedy that had unfolded there.
The mangled corpses, making it nearly impossible to find an intact body, and the pools of blood truly resembled a living hell.
“We must go to the mansion.”
The horse carrying Karl quickly passed through the gate and galloped along the main road towards the mansion where Sancho was.
And along that path, Karl saw the endless procession of demons.
“Is this truly hell?”
And at the end of the road they reached, a white light flashed.
It was undoubtedly the light of the Lumentia Swordsmanship, illuminated by the Lighthouse Knights.
The initially faint light grew clearer as the knights' skills improved, guiding Karl and the Holy Knights.
Kwaaaaang!
An explosion erupted in front of the Lighthouse Knights.
Elves clad in black robes were moving alongside the demons.
“Holy Knights, raise your swords!”
When Godfrey raised his sword and shouted, the knights raised their respective weapons high.
“In the name of Essus!”
When he shouted once more, the 200 Holy Knights began to gallop their horses in unison as if they were one body.
And at their very forefront, Karl was running, emitting a golden aura.
Dududududu!
The sound of warhorses' hooves shook the earth, and the half-demons blocking their path were all swept away.
Karl's golden aura, running at the head, shone brighter than ever before, slaughtering the demons.
His light seemed to be the very antithesis of demons, cutting them down relentlessly.
[Karl Meyer Style. 2nd Form. Variation One-point breakthrough]
The One-point breakthrough, modified for mounted combat, was a charge of unified horse and rider, where Karl and Silver, enveloped in aura like a single spear, pierced through the front lines.
The One-point breakthrough of the horse and rider enveloped in aura boasted overwhelming destructive power, brutally crushing the demons blocking their path.
“Follow Sir Karl! Slaughter all the demons of this mortal world!”
Godfrey swung the sword in his hand relentlessly, his hair flying.
The demons standing near him collapsed sideways like bundles of reeds.
“Karl Meyer.”
Mikhail, witnessing Karl and the Holy Knights charging through the ranks from behind, sensed that the situation was taking a strange turn.
“Is it not ready yet?”
“That Mage must have played some tricks.”
“…Has Ainar entered?”
“Yes, so soon…”
Just as the elves were exchanging cryptic words, a red light burst forth from one part of the mansion.
“Finally…!”
An exclamation burst from Mikhail’s lips.
It was the moment a true demon, a being called Jinma(True Demon), finally descended upon the world.
Everything up until now had been for this single moment.
The sea of blood created by the half-demons and the demonic energy generated as the demons died had filled this city, ultimately becoming the backdrop for the birth of that True Demon now emitting red light.
“The moment the True Demon resurrects, all humans in this world will be wiped out, and finally, the world ruled by us elves will come again. It means the long wait and the time of our earnest desire has ended!”
Mikhail’s eyes glowed even redder, and a deeper smile spread across his lips.
Kwaang!
After a fleeting moment, a woman emitting red light broke through the mansion roof and revealed herself.
“Ainar…?”
Red hair and red eyes.
With skin whiter than snow and beauty seemingly not of this world, the woman held the golden-haired elf child, Ainar, in one hand.
“Release that hand… True Demon… That child is my vassal. You were resurrected on this land through the demon seed I created. I rightfully have the authority to command you.”
Pfft.*
“What amusing words….”
The red-haired woman casually tossed out a single remark.
Mikhail realized from her reaction that something had gone terribly wrong.
“You are… my servant. Release that child at once!”
“Elf, I am grateful that you summoned me to this land with the seed, but….”
As the red-haired woman tightened her grip, Ainar, whose neck was dangling precariously, struggled while suspended in the air.
“Kkgh… Hnghhh.”
Watching her struggle, Mikhail and the other elves were about to rush towards the red-haired woman in unison.
Crack.
An eerie sound echoed through the air, and Ainar, her neck completely broken, went limp.
“It displeases me that there exists an elf arrogant enough to think they can control me. I do not like elves.”
“Ah…!”
Mikhail felt momentarily stunned as his cherished subordinate perished without being able to do anything.
‘Where exactly did it go wrong?’
He was certain he knew that if he resurrected a demon with a demon seed, he would possess the power to control the demon.
Indeed, except for the resurrected True Demon there, all the chaff-like demons obeyed his commands.
So why wasn’t this one obeying?
Mikhail instantly unleashed his boiling anger towards the demon before him.
And the elves, sensing Mikhail’s will, instantly surrounded her.
Despite the elves surrounding her with menacing killing intent, the red-haired woman merely smiled, showing no sign of agitation.
Her smile possessed a distant beauty not found in the mortal world.
Even the elves, known for their strong resistance to temptation and mental fortitude, felt as if they were being drawn into the demon the moment they looked directly at her.
Mikhail, barely maintaining his composure, snapped his fingers, and magic exploded right in front of the woman’s eyes, piercing through her smile.
Mikhail believed the recent explosion must have harmed the woman.
‘…!’
When the aftermath of the explosion cleared, the woman reappeared, smiling exactly as before.
“There’s an interesting person over there too, isn’t there? Personally, I like noble humans.”
The red-haired woman’s gaze ignored Mikhail and looked beyond him.
And there stood Karl, his black hair fluttering, meeting her gaze with indifferent eyes.