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The revealed Dark Wizard and Demon were certainly not top-tier powerhouses.
Had this been Rioshuko, the Silver Cross Knight Order could have easily eradicated the two Devil Worshippers.
However, this was deep within the Forbidden Forest, blessed ground imbued with the power of an evil deity for the Devil Worshippers.
Ordinarily, they should not have set foot in this corrupted land.
Despite this, Gilland led the Knight Order here to find the underground city.
Because it was a task that someone had to do.
‘I need to resolve this quickly.’
Before reinforcements arrived, the Dark Wizard and Demon had to be eliminated as swiftly as possible.
Crack!
The armor Gilland wore began to vibrate, then all its power converted into thrust.
With a roar, Gilland accelerated towards the Demon.
None of the Silver Cross knights could keep up with Gilland’s speed.
Only Ray managed to crash into the Demon alongside Gilland.
Kwagak!
As Gilland and Ray engaged the Demon, the remaining members charged the Dark Wizard.
Magic and Sword Auras clashed, bursting into flashes of light that illuminated the underground city.
Grrrr…
After deflecting several sword strikes from Gilland, the Demon targeted Ray first.
No matter how skilled a Battle Mage might be, he was still fundamentally a Mage.
Engaging in close-quarters combat with a Demon was nothing short of suicidal at this range.
Smirking, the Demon delivered a crushing punch.
The massive fist moved like lightning, shattering Ray’s staff and continued forward.
Pttt!
With a crack, the staff broke in two, but somehow Ray had closed the distance further, diving inside the Demon’s guard.
In Ray’s hand gleamed a sapphire blade detached from the broken staff.
Puuk!
The blade pierced the Demon’s eye.
Ray drove the blade deeper, injecting cold energy into the Demon’s eye socket.
In an instant, crimson ice shards erupted, rapidly expanding in size.
Even so, the Demon didn’t die.
Instead, it let out an unearthly scream and attempted another attack on Ray.
However, Gilland was much faster.
Kagak!
A blade wreathed in Sword Energy slashed through and severed the Demon’s thick arm.
As the Demon staggered back, confused, Ray retrieved the broken staff and hooked it around the Demon’s neck, pulling hard.
When the Demon’s upper body bent forward, Gilland brought his sword down like an axe, executing a beheading strike.
Would the Demon survive even with its head severed?
Both Ray and Gilland focused on the Demon, sharing the same thought.
However, interference came again.
This time, it was a Shadow Spirit.
Guddeok!
The Shadow Spirit that intercepted Gilland’s blow spat out intense black flames.
Though Gilland charged through the flames with another slash, the Shadow Spirit had already retreated with the Demon in tow.
Meanwhile, the Dark Wizard also withdrew, unable to withstand the knight’s assault and Luna’s combined attacks.
From behind them emerged an Elf whose body parts had horribly mutated, chuckling together with the Shadow Spirit.
“Didn’t both of you boast that you could handle this alone? Look at you now.”
Had the Elf not intervened, both would have lost their heads.
Witnessing the Elf who was nearly fully transformed into a Demon, Gilland could only gasp for breath.
Now Gilland was certain – they were being toyed with.
The Devil Worshippers were revealing themselves one by one, openly mocking the Silver Cross Knight Order.
Gilland had to acknowledge that the Knight Order had crawled into the enemy’s jaws.
These three were certainly not the end of the Devil Worshippers.
Their gradual appearance was likely for entertainment.
They were probably placing bets among themselves on how many of them would be required to eliminate the intruders who dared enter the underground city.
“…”
Gilland felt as if the swampy ground was sucking his legs in.
The mission in the underground city remained unfinished.
They still needed to determine exactly what the Devil Worshippers were doing here, their numbers, and why such a facility had been abandoned.
There was still much to investigate.
However, they couldn’t afford to be greedy anymore.
This place had become a dead zone.
Their only hope lay in retreating as quickly as possible.
With a tense voice, Gilland called out to Ray.
“Ron, we need to retreat.”
Gilland tried to persuade Ray.
He knew Ray hadn’t found the “mercenary” yet, but further penetration was impossible.
If they lingered any longer and more Devil Worshippers joined, escape would become impossible.
Right now, immediate retreat offered the last chance to withdraw alive… That’s what Gilland had to believe.
“Lukov, I’m transferring command. Work with Ron to escape from here.”
Having declared this, Gilland took a step forward.
Understanding Gilland’s intent, Leonie raised her voice.
“Captain!!”
Lukov stopped Leonie, who was about to protest.
This wasn’t the time to throw a tantrum like a child.
Five knights who had sustained various injuries during the battle gathered beside Gilland as if by mutual agreement.
Since someone had to buy time anyway, the injured ones were the most efficient choice.
Leonie understood the situation but couldn’t accept it.
However, a captain’s order was absolute on the battlefield.
Hesitation would lead to everyone’s death.
While Gilland and the five knights held off the Devil Worshippers, the rest had to head toward the exit.
Just as Lukov, who had received the command, was about to issue orders,
In the center of the battlefield, shadows coalesced into a humanoid form and emitted a human voice.
“You’re giving up too soon.”
The shadow criticized the Silver Cross Knight Order with a cracked voice.
“Don’t give up; continue advancing.”
The emotionless voice carried only clear mockery.
“You’ll survive a little longer that way.”
The shadow had prepared numerous stages.
However, if the intruders gave up and fled, the shadow would have no choice but to gather all the actors waiting for their cues.
Darkness began to creep up from everywhere.
Countless cries of monsters echoed throughout the underground city from far away.
Could escaping from here really be possible?
Gilland swallowed the despair rising in his chest and clenched his voice.
“Ron… Please take care of the knights.”
For Gilland, Ray represented the final bastion and hope.
Though Ray was an outsider, Gilland knew he was far beyond the level of a regular high-ranking mage.
Even using the knights as a shield, Gilland hoped Ray would assist them.
The Devil Worshippers watched with amusement as the intruders divided their roles.
Starving for entertainment, they indulgently waited for the ants’ final struggle.
However, even so, how dare a mere kingdom knight captain try to delay things here.
Their worthless determination provoked spontaneous laughter.
Had they brought five Royal Guards instead, that claim might have made sense.
The Devil Worshippers anticipated.
Gilland, when his worthless determination crumbled completely in the darkness.
They eagerly awaited what desperate wails Gilland would emit at that moment.
Ray muttered while looking at them.
“Truly… annoying beings.”
The reason Ray accompanied the Silver Cross Knight Order was partly for guidance and conserving strength.
Additionally, there was the purpose of securing multiple witnesses regarding the underground city to instill sufficient awareness in the Empire and Kingdom.
Originally, after rescuing Ulte, Ray intended to seriously intervene upon returning to the elevator.
He planned to conceal his strength until the point where the Devil Worshippers launched a full-scale offensive to prevent the intruders from escaping.
However, things seemed to be going awry.
Already, the number of detectable Devil Worshippers exceeded seven.
Outside the Forbidden Forest might be different, but here, the Silver Cross Knight Order could never hold out against them for long.
Jjeruk
Taking a step forward, Ray began to advance toward death.
Seeing this, Gilland exclaimed in bewilderment.
“Ron, you need to go with the knights! I’ll buy you time to escape!”
Cackling laughter erupted from all around.
Buying time to escape? Does he think he’s a Swordmaster?
Gilland will witness his subordinates dying while crawling on the ground with his limbs severed.
That’s how the Devil Worshippers will make it happen.
Facing these creatures that mocked human desperation, Ray turned to look at Gilland.
Ray burst into laughter.
During their journey together, Ray had sufficiently understood the nature of Gilland’s “desperation” and the “outcome” he sought at the cost of his life, which caused the laughter to flow uncontrollably.
“Gilland, does your death have any value?”
“…!”
Gilland froze, eyes wide open.
Ray asked again.
“Truly, does your death have any value?”
Ray was forcibly dragging Gilland back to the reality he had been avoiding and questioning him.
“Will these piglets who’ve worsened the situation this far repent, regret, or commemorate you by moving their bloated bodies, just because your knight order gets annihilated?”
Humans don’t change easily.
They love familiarity and never want their established power to be infringed upon.
“Even if the Silver Cross Knight Order is torn apart here, will they even blink an eye?”
If there’s any wisdom left in those piglets, Gilland’s death might serve as an opportunity to save Alimo.
However, much more likely…
“These piglets will shut their eyes and ears, focusing solely on satisfying their greed. And when calamity arrives, they’ll be the first to flee for their own survival.”
“What do you expect me to do then!!!”
Gilland exploded in anger.
The pent-up fury finally erupted toward Ray in this extreme situation.
Perhaps, it was closer to a lament.
“What more can I possibly do!!!”
Gilland had exerted great efforts in various ways.
However, persuading power-holders obsessed with interests was impossible.
They built strongholds of power, thoroughly eliminating anyone who opposed them.
“This was my only remaining option! What else could I possibly do!!!”
The long-suppressed anguish and regret seeped through his moist voice.
At the end of a prolonged wandering, the wounded knight clung to Ray, pleading for an answer.
The Devil Worshippers watched Gilland’s frustration with interest, awaiting Ray’s response.
Amidst their anticipation,
Ray asked the crimson-eyed Gilland.
“What more could I have done?”
If I were in your position, what more could I have possibly done?
I couldn’t say for sure.
I couldn’t confidently claim I would have achieved better results than you.
Therefore, Ray smiled gently at the exhausted man before turning his back.
“Gilland, your role here is over.”
Gilland tried to object.
However, Ray’s explosively surging aura silenced him.
“So use your remaining strength to lead your comrades out of here, escape the forest alive, and deliver my message to those dissolute piglets.”
The air warped.
A silver case emerged from the A-Space but began disintegrating piece by piece under the pressure.
“Given the high likelihood of the situation inside the Forbidden Forest developing into a catastrophic disaster, ‘we’ can no longer tolerate your dissipation.”
Dozens of weapons spilled out from the disintegrating case.
These were the most valuable and powerful artifacts that Ernst had handed over as payment for receiving Moros, the ones he could transport outside.
Among the numerous treasures,
“From now on,”
Ray drew two swords.
“The Empire will intervene.”
Fear (1)
