<The Demon Lord of the Swordsmanship Family Chapter 101>
The government declares ‘Red Gate Clear’!
All situations have been resolved.
The expedition force has cleared the Red Gate, and the defense team successfully secured the area.
With the lifting of the Gate lockdown order across the country, everything has returned to normal.
The only thing remaining is the matter of rewards and recognition.
It was time to share the fruits of success.
And the winner was quickly decided.
– Spokesperson for the Executive Department, revealing information about the ‘Red Gate.’
– Official announcement from the Executive Department. Scale 6 Level. ‘Dark Elf Fanatics’ title.
– Civilian deaths ‘0.’ The degree of damage seems almost unbelievable for a high-level Red Gate.
As the situation matured, the media and journalists sprang into action.
Hero (英雄).
What a thrilling word. People wanted a hero, and they found one.
Ji Seong-cheol.
The newly appointed Head of the Executive Department.
– ‘Seong-cheol Ji’ – who is he?
– Ji Seong-cheol, the newly appointed Executive Director, showcasing youthful charisma.
– Why ‘万枪’ (Ten Thousand Spears)? Revisiting his past.
– From ‘Gate Lockdown Order’ to ‘Gate All Reset.’ Seong-cheol Ji’s decisions were key.
– ‘This wasn’t Seong-cheol Ji’s work alone.’ Thanking the Management Bureau and police for their assistance.
– “We extend sincere thanks to Optimum and the Sword Masters for their active support.” Ji Seong-cheol mentions Optimum during an interview.
The response was overwhelming.
The title ‘万枪’ (Ten Thousand Spears), previously held by a Guardian.
The youngest bl**d among the former Heads of the Executive Department.
A good reputation and plenty of heartwarming stories.
Most of all, his appearance was outstanding. The public’s definition of an ideal hero.
On the website SuperDream.com
– How Ji Seong-cheol differs from previous Heads of the Executive Department.
<Photo> <Photo> <Photo> <Photo>
└ Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
└ Just look at the content haha haha. I understand despite there being just photos.
└ When Seong-cheol Ji retired as a Guardian and became an Executive Director, I thought he had lost his edge, but I was wrong.
└ Confession note 222
└ Confession note 3333333
└ Honestly, can Seong-cheol Ji still go toe-to-toe with active Guardians?
└ Varies by who haha?
└ With Red Peak, he can give it a try haha haha.
└ What about the Sword Masters?
└ Whoa, over the line.
All situations have been resolved.
Citizens have returned to their daily lives, and a hero has been birthed.
Everything seemed to be finding its proper place.
But…
Not once did anyone mention the word ‘Celutis.’
“…I had a feeling, but.”
Kim Yeon-hee took off her glasses while reading the article on the monitor and pressed hard on her eyes.
She was exhausted.
Articles that overtly praised the Executive Department. Endless streams of compliments and embarrassing flattery.
A faint smile of bitterness formed on Kim Yeon-hee’s face.
“This isn’t right…”
Just for a moment, Celutis had been active throughout the country.
Jeju, Busan, Daejeon, Gwangju… Even the heavily gate-concentrated areas in the north, and even the gates near Seoul itself.
Archangels had been recovered from every Gate.
Yet, no one knew.
No one knew about the existence of the Archangels, or what Celutis had been plotting. Not a single person.
And if her eldest hadn’t managed to trace them? Or, if Celutis had been more meticulous in managing the Archangels from the start?
Wouldn’t we still be completely unaware?
This is the crux of the matter.
The state’s security had been compromised.
This was the start of the incident, the fundamental issue.
Yet, the officials involved were suppressing it all. They had created the hero Seong-cheol Ji, diverting people’s attention away from the truth.
“I understand.”
Kim Yeon-hee herself was the head of Optimum. She knew all too well that responsibility-bearing positions couldn’t always be perfectly transparent.
She understood very well.
But…
It was bitter to see someone she knew involved in this.
As Kim Yeon-hee looked at a photo of Ji Seong-cheol smiling and closed her browser window, she shook off the sense of disappointment that came with it.
Well, wasn’t this kind of behavior old news by now? Feeling disappointed would only waste energy.
I just need to be better. I won’t become like them.
With that resolution, Kim Yeon-hee put on her glasses.
Actually, there were more important things at hand now than this. Heroes, rewards, and such nonsense—there was something far more significant than that.
“Secretary-General, please provide me with all the data related to this Red Gate incident. And also any information on the ‘Fanatics.'”
Celutis.
While many people were simply asking questions, Kim Yeon-hee knew.
She knew exactly how strong and persistent Celutis could be.
They weren’t called one of the world-class Villains for no reason. If the Fanatics had been truly committed, this wouldn’t have been the end of things.
“Couldn’t they have just sacrificed the ‘Korea branch’ to create a Red Gate? It doesn’t add up no matter how you look at it.”
The calculations made no sense, and yet the event still unfolded?
From her extensive experience, in these types of situations, there was always some hidden agenda.
Just what was Celutis planning?
What could be so important that they were willing to sacrifice the ‘Korean branch’ for it?
This was essential.
Kim Yeon-hee’s instincts shouted it with certainty.
And unfortunately, as it turned out, her instincts had once again been spot-on.
The colorful light refracted through the stained glass beautifully illuminated the room as Seo Chang-hyun dressed in priest robes entered.
“Dear friends, we will all be martyred.”
Through ‘Salvation,’ the plan was to bring ‘Him’ into this world.
Thus, Celutis decided to abandon Korea to carry out this plan.
“There is already ‘Yggdrasil’ in this land, an idol, which makes it unsuitable for Him to tread here.”
What was needed was land solely dedicated to ‘Him.’
In short, ‘Holy Ground.’
All the ‘Temples’ that had caused disturbances in Korea were merely preparatory steps for this ‘Holy Ground.’
However, just as Seo Chang-hyun was in the midst of constructing these Temples, he received shocking news from the High Priest.
“Emil, you are exempt from this operation.”
This command from the High Priest.
Seo Chang-hyun had already decided to martyr himself alongside the temple.
Having already raised his last cup with his brothers and sisters, to be told suddenly to withdraw was something he had not anticipated.
For the first time, he opposed the High Priest’s words.
Did you doubt my faith? He raised his voice in opposition.
However, instead of reacting harshly, the High Priest bestowed upon Seo Chang-hyun his ever-compassionate smile.
“By no means am I doubting Brother’s faith. On the contrary, it is because I trust Brother’s faith that I’m making this decision.”
“I entrust you to succeed Brother.”
Among the nine High Priests who acted as the hands and feet of the Pope, the one capable of directly receiving ‘His’ revelations—truly His servant.
The High Priest entrusted him with this role.
“Everyone on this land will serve as the fertilizer for Him. And if that happens, there will be no one here to spread His word. What a sad thing it would be. So, I hope Emil could take up that role.”
Initially, he resisted.
Wasn’t this role originally yours?
Instead, he implored, “Rather let me d*e, and you live as my substitute!”
However, it was with the High Priest’s next words that Seo Chang-hyun had no choice but to accept the proposal.
“I, too, would like to leave at least one person behind. Will you do me this favor, my son?”
My son.
A plea from the High Priest as a mother, not as an official.
How could one refuse such a request?
In the end, Seo Chang-hyun, suppressing his tears, remained alone to live this life.
This path he walked now was established through the sacrifices of his comrades.
Fellow sisters sharing in prayer,
Fellow brothers sharing in faith,
And the venerable Mother who saved him from the abyss of hell.
I shall live for you all.
I shall live for the faith you so deeply cherished—not as Seo Chang-hyun, but as Emil.
Seo Chang-hyun, or rather, Emil now, entered the room.
“High Priest Emil, I appear before Him.”
Bang!
The door was shut.
Behind the door etched with the symbol of the Reverse Cross, the gentle, ticking sound of a winding clock could be heard.
*
Tick, Tick.
Time flows.
3 seconds, 2 seconds, 1 second…
Ding!
“Dad!!”
“Understood!”
Responding to Spring’s urging, I quickly took out the instant rice from the microwave.
Due to the Gate incidents, our family hadn’t been together for a while. We decided to go camping for this rare reunion.
Admittedly, this trip was more about soothing the deeply upset Spring and Mom’s explosive anger than commemorating the reunion… but hey, if everyone’s happy, isn’t that all that matters?
I smiled warmly at the cheerful Spring, grabbed the instant rice from the microwave and got busy.
There were six microwaves at the campsite.
This meant six cycles of opening and closing.
At first, seeing the instant rice, I thought, “Who could eat this tiny bit of stuff?” I ended up making a lot. Filling six microwaves, they kept running, and now a whole basket was brimming with rice.
Glancing beside, Spring was impatiently tapping her feet while repeatedly yelling, “Hurry up, hurry up!”
“Spring, it’s too hot. Next time.”
“Hiiing…”
“Instead, Spring can carry the vegetable basket.”
“Okay!!”
Spring lifted the basket placed beside her.
The drinks inside made it a bit heavy for the child, but it was fine since I would be holding Spring anyway.
With the basket full of rice in my left hand, I also lifted Spring with my right hand.
“Wow, you’re getting taller!”
“Will I be taller than Dad?”
“Yup yup!”
Seizing the cookie basket from Spring, I hoisted her onto my shoulder. She squealed with delight, happier than ever. I should probably take her to fly in the sky next time when I have some free time.
Returning to our spot, my older brother and sister were focused on grilling some meat in a serious manner.
Seeing the intensity on their faces, I wondered what was so important that they were discussing in such a serious tone.
“What’s the issue?” I approached them curiously.
“The area’s too small. Even after grilling all, we barely get much.”
“Hate it when the flow gets disrupted.”
“What to do?”
“It’s worrying.”
…Excuse me? Are you guys this agitated about meat?
These two, who don’t flinch even when surrounded by thousands of monsters, were now fretting over the flow of meat grilling, which made me chuckle.
“Ki-hyuk, what’s your plan? Two options: One is asking for more grills; the other is following Mom’s suggestion and ordering catering.”
“Camping’s not the same without personally grilling it.”
“What do you think, Ki-hyuk?”
“Just do as Mom says.”
By the way, Mom’s currently in a very bad mood.
Because Dad and the three of us siblings went into the Gate without a word, she’s been quite upset.
“Bro, you know you’ve been on her bad side, right?”
“I’m not alone. So, have you been? Min-ji too, by the way.”
“Why me?”
“Are you exempt?”
“…”
“Take a look, bro. Now’s the time to lay low. You don’t want to cross Mom, do you?”
Swallowing hard…
Just thinking of Mom, everyone got nervous.
“Would have to get a good scolding, huh.”
A golden sword aura rippling with perfection appeared, but the expression of the Sword Master turned dark.
“I’ll get it too…”
The Swift Sword Master, who struck without allowing the enemy time for a counter, was now looking glum.
Shiver, shiver, shiver.
Even I, who used to make a charge against bosses unarmed, had trembling hands.
…This is fear.
No matter what, the ultimate authority in our house was Mom.
And soon after, here she comes!
Boom! Boom!
Firecrackers went off from both sides, and flower petals fell down.
Incidentally, the petals were from sis and the firecrackers were me. Bro was busy preparing seats for the esteemed guest.
“Hm…”
Mom looked at us with the expression of “You guys sure seem to be trying hard.”
And dad, who was laughing heartily like “Hohooho!”, suddenly silenced by Mom’s,
“Quiet. What did you do that deserves all this happiness?”
Silence.
“Strongest-Youngest, come here. You mustn’t mingle with these. They’re awfully bad people.”
Mom, holding Spring, gave us a silent, piercing look.
The smothering stillness.
Sudden tingles down the spine, cold sweat poured.
The real-time depletion of stamina—a certainty that no mental magic could compare with this.
“Do you know what you’ve done wrong?”
This is not a moment for talking. One must lay low.
Brother and sister, seeing that, lowered their heads gracefully, showing compliance and humility.
“Sorry.”
“…!!”
Ahh… Dad.
You’ve opened Pandora’s box.
Mom’s expression changed unnaturally. One corner of her mouth rose, revealing a “You’re screwed” face.
“What are you sorry for?”
“Everything. I’m sorry for everything!”
“Everything? Specifically, what are you sorry for?”
With her determination set, Mom sat down, instructing Dad to sit down front.
Though Dad might lack wit at times, he was certainly a kind man. Now, with a desperate look, he pleaded for help from us.
“Cough. Spring, don’t you want some cookies? Let’s go buy some together with uncle.”
“No, I prefer ice cream. Let’s go get ice cream with Aunt Honyang.”
“When will the catering arrive? Let me check.”
Apparently no longer part of the family. Our hearts connected as one.
Though a voice called “Kids!” as we distanced ourselves…
Sorry, gotta live.
“Let’s go hang out for an hour.”
“Isn’t there a trail nearby we can walk?”
“I’ll get ice cream with Spring. Come on, Spring, come to Aunt.”
“…”
“…”
“…Krrk…”
“Phff…”
“Kkrk, kkrkk…”
“Hoooooo hahahaha!!!”
As we were walking together, laughter broke out without anyone leading the way.
Is happiness something complicated? To laugh and chatter together, that’s happiness. To eat together, to drink tea together.
To move forward, watching the sunset together.
That was happiness.
I ask myself: Am I happy?
Yes, I am happy right now.
“Should we take some photos?”
In the picture with four of us, I was smiling brightly.
Now, I am no longer alone.
