282nd Episode
The Empire commenced a rescue operation for the second prince of the Rubia Kingdom and Count Horum.
In preparation for the possibility that enemies might chase after the second prince and Count Horum, crossing the Sigini Mountain Range in droves, a new defensive line was also established near the mountain range.
Although thin and long, this newly set up defensive line could move together with the main Imperial army to encircle and annihilate the enemy as soon as their location was identified.
Ray briefly visited the defensive line where he exchanged a few words with a noble officer who was waiting there.
There wasn’t much substance to their conversation.
Initially, Ray had only come to personally confirm the current situation with his own eyes.
However, not long after, a loud voice erupted from the defense command post.
“We’ve received word that Osiris Countdom is under attack by forces that appear to be Devil Worshippers!”
“What’s the size of the enemy?”
“It’s unclear. They’re requesting reinforcements.”
“We need to know the size of the enemy before we can move!!”
Hearing the shouts leaking out from the command post, Ray stiffened his expression.
If this ambush had been premeditated, then the targets the enemy would aim for weren’t numerous.
“Hey, commander.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“I’m moving ahead first. You, gather half of the troops stationed at the defensive line and head to the Osiris Countdom.”
“That…”
“I’ll take responsibility. Just do as I say without arguing.”
“…Understood.”
*
An assault had occurred.
Upon learning about the assault, most of the high-level forces remaining within the Osiris Countdom began to converge on the Manor.
The attack was so sudden, and the exact purpose of the attackers remained unclear.
Rather than recklessly dispersing forces and inviting confusion, it was more prudent to reorganize the command structure and first ascertain the strength and intent of the enemy.
Jimy, upon hearing the commotion, immediately headed towards the Manor.
However, just as he reached the Manor, Bella grabbed his arm.
“Jimy, wait a moment…!”
“Bella, make sure Lea stays inside the Manor quietly.”
“Lea has gone to the sea…!!”
“What…?”
“She went to see the ocean with Karen! I should have stopped her…”
Jimy felt his mind grow complicated.
The coast was practically the front line right now.
Even though Karen knew how to wield a sword, Jimy couldn’t confidently say she’d be safe, even with a fully armed knight nearby.
“Hmm…”
Even if by some stroke of luck they were unharmed, it would still be difficult for Jimy to find them immediately along the vast stretch of coastline.
It was far more likely they’d miss each other.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Jimy froze, unable to make an immediate decision.
Just then, a thunderous sound erupted nearby.
KWAANG!!!
*
Zwick!
Arundel stepped onto the land of the Osiris Countdom while keeping himself hidden.
Arundel had mobilized part of the forces that retreated during the previous Capital Raid incident and unleashed them into the Osiris Countdom.
They were randomly attacking wherever they could reach, exacerbating the chaos within the countdom.
“There’s still… plenty of time.”
Arundel started the assault after receiving information that Ray had headed toward the defensive line.
Though the distance between the Osiris Countdom and the defensive line wasn’t too great, it wasn’t something Ray could traverse back and forth in mere minutes.
Before Ray returned, Arundel needed to secure Bella.
However, Arundel had an even higher priority task — eliminating the main force of the Osiris Countdom while Ray was absent.
While the forces left in the Osiris Countdom wouldn’t be able to handle Arundel alone, once Ray joined them, they would certainly become a nuisance to him.
Therefore, Arundel needed to annihilate the main force of the Osiris Countdom before Ray rejoined.
Since ‘Lea’ was already practically secured, capturing ‘Bella’ would be ideal, but crushing the forces that could potentially support Ray took precedence.
Thus, Arundel revealed himself in the heart of the city.
“Let’s see you squirm.”
With utmost arrogance, Arundel walked straight toward the manor, clad in heavy armor.
A knight running around noticed Arundel and turned to face him.
The appearance of an elf radiating such intense energy naturally warranted caution.
“Who are you?”
“Hmm, a bad guy.”
KWAANG!!!!
Before the knight could react, a massive wave of energy engulfed him.
Watching the knight fly off and crash into the manor, Arundel smirked.
Due to the weakening of the ‘connection’ over the past several hundred years, Arundel, like any ordinary demon, could only unleash his full power deep within the Demonic Realm.
However… the presence of his deity was now being felt close by again.
Now, even outside the Demonic Realm, Arundel could approach his prime state.
“Well, children.”
As Arundel took a step forward and snapped his fingers,
“You feared the Apostle of the Dark God has returned.”
KWAGAGAK!!!
A chaotic wave of energy, not yet fully formed, shattered surrounding buildings.
Amidst the swirling dust of pulverized materials,
a red beam descended toward Arundel.
JWAAACK!!!
Arundel effortlessly evaded the trajectory of the beam.
Saria appeared, swinging her sword down at Arundel from above.
CCHHEEENG!!!
Arundel erected a crimson barrier to block Saria’s strike.
Still, there was no room for complacency.
Saria wasn’t the only one revealing hostility toward Arundel.
High-ranking forces gathered at the Osiris Manor poured out and began to launch a combined attack on Arundel.
BOOM!! KWAGAGAK!!
The offensive directed at Arundel was quite fierce.
While blocking Mohamed’s clearly manifested Sword Energy, Arundel took a step back.
“Aah… beyond expectations.”
Had these people fought alongside Ray, they would have given him quite a hard time.
Acknowledging this fact, Arundel let out an annoyed expression.
He soon needed to hunt down Ray, so expending too much energy here would be disadvantageous.
“Let’s make this quick.”
Clap clap, Arundel clapped his hands.
Immediately afterward, the bodies of those who had weapons pointed at him and stood grounded sank into the earth.
PLOP!
The dark power of the Demon surged upward, swallowing everyone nearby.
Through the power of the Demon of Hatred, which Arundel served, the emotions of those enveloped were consumed—hatred, resentment, anger, jealousy, loathing—all feelings that had fueled endless conflicts among sentient beings throughout history.
The waves of power created by the Demon of Hatred swallowed human bodies and began to infiltrate their emotions.
“…”
Saria saw Evan’s back through the illusions covering her vision.
In Saria’s memory, Evan always smiled warmly, ensuring her peace of mind.
But in the illusion, Evan was screaming, hacking away at someone’s head with an axe, reducing it to mush.
And endlessly repeating hateful words, cursing and blaming someone.
“…”
Mohamed, in the illusion, wore splendid armor.
Armor as grand as the Royal Guard’s he had once seen, standing amidst the greetings of nobles.
But the magnificent armor gradually became twisted, brittle, and crumbled.
The armor, the fine sword, the grand mansion beneath the city—all crumbled.
With nothing left, Mohamed found himself standing in a barren village with dilapidated houses.
There, Mohamed met his younger self, dreaming of a future filled with even greater splendor and honor.
“…”
The boundary created by Arundel using the Demon’s power eroded the rationality of sentient beings and amplified their emotions.
Dropping humans into this boundary wouldn’t cause significant physical harm, but driving them insane was sufficient.
How could those submerged in hatred possibly coordinate and continue fighting?
When the illusions faded and reality returned,
they would have transformed into easy prey, turning their swords against each other and screaming wildly.
However…
Squelch
Someone split the black waves and stepped back onto solid ground.
Arundel twitched his long ears up and down as he turned to look at whoever had torn through the illusion.
Even if someone managed to break free mid-illusion, the emotional turmoil churning inside them would make maintaining sanity nearly impossible. Surely that should be the case…
“Why are you… still sane?”
Though it seemed pointless, Arundel couldn’t help but ask.
The man who broke free and stepped back onto the ground looked disturbingly calm.
This wasn’t an act. There was no way acting could conceal the disturbance caused by the Demon’s illusions.
The man’s expression was akin to looking at a clear mirror or still water.
After tearing through the illusion, Jimy gripped his sword again and replied,
“Whether you’re an Apostle of the Dark God or whatever… the unpleasantness of your illusions is beneath Ray’s nagging.”
What nonsense is this?
Arundel desperately wanted to question further.
But before he could, Jimy stamped the ground.
Refined mana flowed through the earth, pushing aside the swamp of the Demon’s power.
“Kuhhh…!!”
“Cough…!!”
Those freed from the illusion quickly composed themselves.
The pure mana waves emanating from Jimy helped steady their emotions.
Zzook-
Jimy manifested a Sword Energy and aimed it at Arundel.
All those who regained their senses followed Jimy and once again revealed their hostility toward Arundel.
Arundel abruptly stopped his twitching ears.
He had used his powers hoping for an easier path, but it seemed nothing had changed.
Annoyed, Arundel frowned.
“Annoying.”
CHEEEERRRK!!!!!
“?!”
Jimy was hit by Arundel’s casually swung fist and flew backward.
Witnessing this, Saria aimed her floating Artifact in the sky at Arundel.
Arundel extended his hand toward the ground.
A crimson hole formed, and tentacles resembling tree branches emerged from the abyss, intertwining with each other.
Arundel grabbed the bundle of crimson tentacles like a bow and pulled it taut.
Soon after,
PAKA-GAGAGAK!!!!!
All the Artifacts Saria was aiming downward disintegrated into powder mid-air.
These Artifacts were designed to maintain functionality even after being intercepted by Sword Energy a couple of times, but they couldn’t withstand the crimson projectiles fired by Arundel.
In the next instant, Arundel kicked the Paladin blocking his path with irritation.
KWA-DUCK!!!!
The Paladin’s blessed armor, boasting formidable defensive power, caved in with a deafening sound.
The Paladin, spitting blood and rising into the air, crashed far away.
Arundel,
the Apostle of Hatred who had existed for an age,
though his abilities specialized in ambushes,
still possessed combat prowess surpassing those rated as “Quasi-Lord level” in direct confrontations.
Why did the Apostles leave such terror imprinted on human history?
It was because Apostles, regardless of whether they were inside or outside the Demonic Realm, were terrifyingly powerful.
Forces of average caliber couldn’t hope to stop them.
A gaping path opened wherever Arundel walked.
Without a core figure rated at least Quasi-Lord level, it was impossible to stand against Arundel.
Frustration and fear settled on the faces of those witnessing the unexpected vast disparity.
Arundel continued to tear apart anything obstructing him.
But then,
Trudek!
“…?”
Arundel looked down at his arm with a puzzled expression.
The veins in his forearm suddenly turned reddish-purple.
Ulte approached and spoke.
“So it seems this affects you as well.”
Ulte bore the curse that arose from Genesis.
Outer Chapter (3)
