Chapter 1495

<Chapter 1495> 1495. Paladin: A Journey of Ultimate Evil

The Execution Blade.

It’s an item that requires the materials gathered by the Holy Sword and the Vatican, as well as most of the Vatican’s manpower to craft.

This sword exists only in theory within this world.

Even in the original game, it’s a sword you can only make near the very end.

I aim to create this blade.

The pope, who would’ve been the biggest obstacle, is dead, and I, having become a paladin for less than a year, have already achieved the unprecedented feat of slaying two Great Demons. There’s more than enough justification to make the Execution Blade.

Though I anticipate pushback from other paladins, my accomplishments far surpass theirs—I can push through regardless.

‘If anyone gets in my way, I’ll label them all as heretics and proceed anyway.’

My resolve is set.

However, things went smoother than expected.

The goddess Herianne, who had been doing nothing but watching silently, descended a revelation upon the paladins, holy maidens, and archbishops.

“Assist the paladin of Valentinier. He will put an end to this long war.”

An irrefutable mandate has been bestowed upon me.

Some might think Herianne favors me, but from her perspective, I’m impossible not to like—after all, I’ve wiped out two Great Demons in such a short time.

And the pope dying in the process? He was corrupt anyway, and the position could be re-elected.

Herianne essentially went all-in on a coin that’s skyrocketing. How could she resist when it keeps hitting new highs?

“Only two Great Demons remain. She must know one has already been destroyed… so she probably feels pretty confident about our chances.”

Anyway, thanks to Herianne fully backing me, I now wield power surpassing even the pope’s. No other regional paladins dare to challenge me.

For the past month, I’ve used everything at the Vatican without hesitation—all for myself.

The result is the status window right before my eyes.

[Name: Eugene


Origin: Holy Knight


Level: 83


Strength: 75 Agility: 47 Vitality: 50 Divine Power: 66


Skills: Sanctity (Lv. Ultimate), Holy Aura (Lv. Master), Divine Blade (Lv. Ultimate), Sprint (Lv. 3), Holy Light (Lv. 7), Divine Enhancement (Lv. Master), Resurrection (Lv. Master), Descent (Lv. 1), Sacrifice (Lv. 1), Perfect Body (Lv. 5), Dawn Wings (Lv. 3).]

Overwhelming stats.

Most demons can’t withstand a single strike from me.

On top of that, after a month-long ritual, I’ve finally completed the Execution Blade. The Vatican’s resources are depleted, but that’s none of my concern.

Using the Holy Sword of Valentinier as a base, the Execution Blade grants me immense power just by holding it.

The Execution Blade is a sword that continuously emits divine energy. However, its output is weak, and the divine energy flows without accumulating. It seems underwhelming at first glance, but the true power of the Execution Blade lies elsewhere.

It possesses the effects of every Holy Sword in existence within this world.

Of course, you can’t use all the effects simultaneously…


Body can be adjusted according to the user’s will, one by one.

“Now that I have the Execution Blade… all preparations are complete.”

The next day.

A revelation descended upon all Paladins.

-“Slay the Great Demon Colossus.”

Including myself, the eight Paladins couldn’t ignore the Goddess’ command. The Paladins gathered at one place using the Return Stone the next day and devised a plan to slay the Great Demon Colossus.

I led the planning. Though the youngest among the eight Paladins, my track record was solid enough that no one dared underestimate me.

Great Demon Colossus.

One of the Five Great Demons, it was almost devoid of intelligence.

“So isn’t it easier to exterminate compared to the other Great Demons?” On the contrary. Colossus is the toughest opponent among the Great Demons.

Crawling across the land, Colossus was enormous. It was a moving mountain. Simultaneously, it was the homeland and birthplace of demons. It was also the mother and father of demons. Colossus was a mobile demon factory.

Including myself, the eight Paladins looked down from atop a high mountain. There it was—the beast crawling across the continent, Colossus. Its appearance resembled a king lizard, only excessively gigantic with flesh made of dirt and rock.

“Seeing it directly, it’s truly monstrous. Should we be thankful it only roams uninhabited areas…?”

The Paladin from Jigolas opened the conversation upon seeing Colossus.

“That’s why people can’t live where it roams.”

The Paladin from Ethel glared at Colossus as if trying to kill it with his gaze.

“Why is this thing circling around this area?”

The Paladin from Utowoon revealed curiosity.

No Paladin could answer that question. Since they had left Colossus alone until now, there was no information.

The Great Demon Colossus was too massive for a single Paladin to face. Infested with countless demons, reconnaissance was nearly impossible, let alone extermination.

Of course, I know why Colossus circles this region.

‘Instinct. It perceives this area as its home.’

This place was also where the Primordial Demon was born.

‘The Great Demons originated from the Primordial Demon. The Great Demon Bejithula was its horn, the Great Demon Suthon was its finger, and the Great Demon Arias was its heart.’

The Great Demon Colossus was its torso.

I didn’t share this information with the Paladins. With Bejithula disappearing along with the Primordial Demon’s horn, the information was meaningless.

The chance of the Primordial Demon returning to this world was less than 0.1%.

“Enough chatter, let’s get ready.”

I stepped forward and spoke.

The Paladins nodded and began checking their armaments.

“Facing a Great Demon… I’m trembling.”

“This might be my grave.”

“Oh Goddess Herianne, grant us your blessing.”

We headed toward the sheer cliff. Below, the colossal Colossus moved slowly. Each step it took shook the ground like an earthquake.

“Let’s go.”

With those brief words, I leapt off the cliff first. The other Paladins followed suit.

An invisible hand of gravity grabbed my body, pulling me down. It felt similar to riding an amusement park ride. In my case, it also felt like falling endlessly in a dream. But this wasn’t a dream—I needed to stay sharp.

Even a Paladin could die if they messed up the landing.

Using divine power to reinforce my body, I focused it in my legs.

BOOM!

I landed safely.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The other Paladins also landed successfully.

They immediately raised their holy swords. Demons burst out of the ground, surrounding us in an instant.

“Mostly small fries. They haven’t fully grown yet.”


“Hmm… A young demon, you say? How amusing.”

“Surely you don’t mean to pity such a creature?”

“Nonsense.”

“Do not let your guard down. Even if it’s young, it’s still a demon—far more dangerous than any fallen one.”

The paladins were at ease as they effortlessly massacred demons.

Though they couldn’t slay an Archdemon like me, their combined experience fighting demons far exceeded my own. Mercilessly, they slaughtered every last one.

With swords slicing through demons and fists smashing their heads, the bodies piled up until they formed small hills around us.

The lesser demons stopped advancing, but I could still feel the presence of Archdemon Colossus deep within his massive form.

I addressed the paladins.

“Stick to the plan. Three of you stay here and secure our escape route; four of you head down to draw their attention.”

And then I went after Colossus’s heart to destroy it.

“Our stamina isn’t infinite. We can hold out for about an hour at most. If you don’t kill Colossus within that time, we die. Understood?”

“Return in under an hour.”

I leapt into the hole in the ground where the demons had emerged earlier.

Activating my internal senses, I moved toward the source of the strongest demonic energy without hesitation.

“Human…!!”

A demon sprang from the wall, its goat-like legs kicking up dust as it swung its club-like fist at me.

The narrow passage left little room to dodge, so I decided to take the hit. The blow struck my armor with a dull thud, but the plating remained unscathed.

‘Stormbreaker’s durability adjusts based on the user’s strength. Meaning—I’m way stronger than this guy.’

I charged forward, ramming my shoulder into the demon. It flew backward, crashing into the wall before collapsing. Stepping on its head, I pressed onward. No other demon stood a chance against me wielding the Execution Blade.

‘There’s no named demon around. The paladins must be doing their job drawing attention.’

Five paths appeared before me.

Beneath my helmet, a faint smile formed.

‘I already know which is correct.’

The first two paths lead nowhere, while three others are valid routes—but each contains varying levels of demonic resistance.

‘And there’s always a shortcut.’

I plunged the Execution Blade into the floor.

Blood splattered across what looked like stone, reminding me I was inside Colossus all along.

Using the Holy Eruption ability of Ziggolas’ Sacred Sword, I unleashed divine power in a burst of explosive energy.

BOOM!

The floor shattered, revealing a lower level swarming with tiny demons, barely reaching a meter tall. They scrambled about, panicked.

“H-Human?!”

“It’s a paladin! Run!”

“Save us!”

The trembling young demons quaked in fear.

Without hesitation, I jumped down.

CRASH!

Two young demons were crushed beneath my boots. Glancing around, I released a Master-level Holy Aura, obliterating everything nearby. My glowing halo flared brilliantly as sacred light swept through the area, leaving only scraps of the young demons behind.

Surveying the surroundings…

“Think hiding will save you?”

From behind a wall, I dragged out a trembling young demon by its head.

“Ah! P-please! I didn’t do anything bad! I’m a good demon! Please!”

“There’s no such thing as a good demon.”

Pinning it down with my boot, I grabbed its head with my left hand and tore it apart alive. Killing such filth filled me with immense satisfaction.

Plunging the Execution Blade into the ground again, I activated Holy Eruption.

Downward.

Further downward I must go.