Ch.133Martyr (1)

The Crusaders’ desperate efforts to reduce Durin’s forces had been in vain, as his army had doubled once again.

Troops arriving steadily from all across the eastern regions now matched the numbers commanded by Rupiel. Almost daily, new forces bearing different military banners arrived. Most were humans bearing the symbol of the Order on their chests, but their eagerness for battle surpassed all others.

“We’ve endured persecution for a thousand years. We will hide no longer.”

“Lord Regent, I offer my sword to you.”

Though clearly inferior in quality compared to the Celestial Knights, they were remarkably resilient fighters who had conducted guerrilla warfare in the human realm for extended periods. The assessment was that they could adequately match Verdia’s southern forces or Yoannina’s monster assault troops fighting on other fronts.

The elite of the human realm.

The Muk-gap Knights. That’s what they called themselves.

The young knight at the forefront asked confidently:

“We want to fight the Crusaders. Where should we go?”

“This is not a battlefield for you to enter.”

“Pardon?”

“The outcome has already been decided. They have declined to the point where they cannot even move their forces against a mere elven detachment.”

“Even if the Holy Knights suffer heavy casualties, isn’t the Priesthood still intact? How could this happen?”

He boldly asked a question that no demon would have dared to ask. A warrior who had fought for the Order from the bottom ranks for many years was not intimidated by authority.

Gorgon, who was accompanying the Regent, showed considerable discomfort, but Durin raised his hand to stop Durahan.

“It’s because they have much to lose.”

“What could they possibly have that’s worth more than victory? I don’t understand.”

“The Priesthood determines the authority of Heaven. When Holy Knights die, they can be packaged as martyrs, but the moment someone in white robes is harmed, it’s tantamount to defiling the name of God.”

While the demon realm used sorcerers as auxiliary forces for administrative tasks or artillery support, Heaven, which had ruled as the dominant power in the human realm for ages, was different.

The Priesthood were messengers of God’s word, precious resources who assisted angels in governing the land. Once again, it all came down to authority.

“If their last bastion is damaged, Heaven would have to deal not only with the Crusaders but also with chaos in the Papal territories. They would sacrifice the Holy Knights to prevent that.”

“I’ve always thought in terms of hating priests, but I never considered it from that perspective.”

“If you cultivated your fighting spirit for survival, that’s only natural. I was the same. Don’t be ashamed; rather, take pride in it. It means you are true warriors.”

Durin bestowed his praise upon them. The Muk-gap Knights’ expressions brightened. Though disappointment briefly crossed their faces at not being able to join battle immediately, Durin had instilled trust in them.

“Then please allow us to be your standard-bearers so we may protect your rear.”

“I was actually looking for someone to replace the monster corps I planned to use as shock troops.”

Saying this, the Regent looked toward the tower at the highest point of Barcella Fortress.

“My lord!”

Upon seeing his signal, Gorgon gave a nod, and a knight of the Order hurriedly brought down the legion banner. Kneeling before the Regent, he respectfully offered the demonic symbol with both hands.

“This is the emblem that those who serve the Goddess must engrave in their hearts. Remember it.”

“God. Our Mother.”

The Muk-gap Knight accepted the legion banner. Under his careful touch was engraved the Dark Lord’s red horn symbol. He could not calm his swelling heart.

“We have waited for this for a long time.”

The suffering of those without a god.

The valiant struggle of their demon ancestors had produced the Dark Order, but it was an illegitimate child.

For the first generation, it was mere admiration. They worshipped the strong.

When they fiercely fought against the rule of the Papal territories as time passed, it was out of desperate desire to survive. They struggled because the others tried to erase all faiths except that of the God of Light. They resisted with defiance.

Finally, it became respect for those who had departed. Whatever the faith was for, it was precious—the belief that someone dear had protected until the end, so they followed their will.

A thousand years had passed this way. Looking back, maintaining their lineage seemed miraculous in itself. And now, the end had come not as destruction but as glory. The Demon Regent was waging a victorious war on this land.

“Now that we’ve found our roots, it’s time for revenge. We will return to them the suffering we endured.”

“You will be nobly used in this land.”

“Just give the order, my lord. The Order will fight for our faith.”

The aspirations of their ancestors had become reality. The knight rose and planted the legion banner in the ground, displaying the strongest power that a creation of the Creator God could show—will.

“You called yourselves the Muk-gap Knights?”

“Having no name, we took our black armor as our name.”

“From now on, you are the elite knights of the Order and the Dark Lord’s sharpest spear. I shall call you Ghulam.”

“Ghulam.”

“Engrave this new name and prepare for the next battlefield. I will show you who a warrior should follow.”

The human realm’s most elite heavy cavalry. The warriors now called Ghulam unhesitatingly beat their chests and pledged:

“We will serve your will, my lord!”

They took to heart the mission bestowed by Durin. The immediate war would be concluded by the hands of those who had gone before.

The era of the ancestors was ending, and a new age was dawning. Not the persecuted generation, but a new generation of dawn accepting a new god. The Dark Order savored the grace and strengthened their resolve.

#

The Crusaders were greatly disturbed by news that the demon forces were growing.

The Holy Knight Order, suffering heavy losses, grew increasingly concerned. Having essentially experienced defeat in every battle and lost their main forces, their position had plummeted. The distrustful gazes of the priests had crushed their self-esteem.

“It seems to be over now.”

“To think… we would collapse like this.”

The situation had tilted. Victory now depended on how quickly reinforcements from the east would arrive. They considered escaping to replenish forces from the southern front, but the elves posed a problem.

“They’re picking off every messenger we send.”

“Even when we try to communicate through the Priesthood, they launch constant raids, leaving no opportunity for contact.”

“Is it completely impossible?”

“Fortunately, some brave souls managed to inform the main force about our situation. They’ll soon send reinforcements.”

This was good news. Even if qualitatively insufficient, they could at least receive troops to protect the Priesthood, allowing them to catch their breath. However, Rupiel did not view the situation optimistically.

“Who will stop the beast cavalry from the southern front?”

They were the ones who had driven the Crusaders to their worst state. More agile than regular cavalry and powerful enough to tear apart elite Holy Knights in chaotic battles, this unit was sweeping through the southern border regions, making it difficult to respond.

When they tried to capture them with the Priesthood’s artillery, the enemy would release lower-ranked beasts on the spot, resulting in only catching small fry. The truly important elite forces were essentially let go.

And now the forces restraining them would be reduced?

The result was obvious.

“We must hasten the time for the great battle.”

“Secretary?”

“Delaying is actually disadvantageous for us. Who will stop the heretics rising across the regions? Before the central power weakens further, I must face Durin directly.”

He once again drew out the resolve he had made earlier. The angel’s halo, aimed at martyrdom, began to shine intensely. The flow of holy power changed. Rippling waves swept strongly through the camp.

“Ah, aah.”

“Due to our unworthiness, the Archangel himself must step forward.”

The Crusaders rushed to repent. Some sat on the ground, shedding tears. The moment the Archangel’s authority revealed itself to the world, all remaining impious thoughts vanished.

They began to unite as one.

“Secretary, we can feel waves coming from the demon side as well.”

An aide approached him as he spread his white wings and stood tall. In truth, he could feel it without being told. Far away, a pitch-black aura of death was approaching moment by moment. They were resonating with each other.

Those who had fought for ages instinctively sensed it.

“Today, one of us dies here.”

The Secretary soared into the sky. Golden waves longer than his white wings supported him. The great being who had assisted the Archangel and cared for Heaven finally revealed his true form, free from worldly concerns.

Those with much to lose tend to tremble, but having let go of everything, he displayed his power unburdened.

“Durin!”

He called out his adversary’s name. Golden holy power surging from the Secretary swept across the land.

-In the name of the martyr, I pray only for deliverance from evil.

-I offer my body as a burnt offering.

His prayer, illuminating even the cloudy sky, burned brighter than ever before.