Ch.137Looming Dark Clouds (2)

# The Pantheon

A space where only the gods who rule the world and their creations can enter. Light illuminated everything.

“Father. Is this truly the right thing to do?”

The angel asked. He was afraid. Trembling, he couldn’t even dare to raise his head before the being in front of him.

“Many people are suffering. Please grant permission for descent. I beg of you.”

The angel pressed his forehead to the floor. His desperate plea was directed toward the statue seated at the highest place. The monotheistic god of the world, wearing a solemn crown, looked down upon him. Though not remaining in physical form, a wondrous aura gripped the temple.

“Father. My father.”

He crawled forward on his knees. He wanted to cling to the god who gave no answer. As an angel tasked with governing humans, it was difficult to overlook their pain. Because no one else would care for them, he appealed to the father who ruled the world.

“I will go forth and sacrifice myself. So please…”

“That won’t be necessary, Chairman.”

The heartfelt cry was cut short by a resolute voice. Majestic footsteps passed by the prostrated angel.

The owner was Krazael, the Archangel Leader who reigned over all angels.

“There will soon be a major deployment to the human realm. Don’t worry and return.”

“You said the same thing last time. You said you would send the War Commander, but in the end, you didn’t.”

“It was merely patience due to the forces depleted in the demon realm. This time the situation is different, so naturally we must send them.”

“So you only move when Rupiel dies? This tragedy occurred because you didn’t listen to your secretary’s advice.”

“Not a tragedy, but martyrdom.”

Krazael glared at the angel, pressuring him not to cross the line.

“I received Rupiel’s will, but the timing was poor, and his patience was lacking. He privately led his forces and ended up losing valuable troops, leaving his forces in disarray.”

“Do you know that he took only his own followers, without any other support, so that your position wouldn’t be threatened?”

“That too was a private matter. Had he been victorious, it would have been recorded in the scriptures…”

“Great Archangel!”

Finally unable to contain his anger, the elderly angel called the Chairman raised his voice.

“Have you not yet grasped the situation? Demons have landed in the human realm. The children of the mother we killed are sharpening their knives for revenge!”

“That’s what I’m waiting for. We’ll be able to kill them in the end.”

Krazael maintained his composure. Even as he absorbed the old angel’s anger with his entire body, he showed a smile.

“So I’d like you to wait. Nothing can be achieved without patience.”

“Great Archangel. Do you have a plan?”

“There is a bigger picture that you don’t know about. A great work that Father and I are creating together.”

The Great Archangel patted the small angel’s shoulder.

“I’d like you to return without disturbing the temple. I don’t want to cause a commotion in this space where Father resides.”

“…I apologize, Great Archangel.”

“It is not I, but Father who will forgive you, Chairman.”

The conversation concluded. The old angel, bowing toward the statue, stepped back. He had realized he couldn’t break the strong will before him. Those who had lived long indeed had quick perception. The Great Archangel heaved a deep sigh.

Because of Rupiel’s impulsive action, the world had become chaotic, and it was his responsibility to clean up the mess.

“If only that child had waited a little longer, he could have seen the world he desired. How regrettable.”

Step, step.

He walked alone through the temple. His voice echoed through the empty space.

“Father. The trial for the world you desire is approaching. The scattered pieces of the vanished god are gathering.”

Krazael spoke to the statue. Though no answer came, he continued to ramble.

“The ankle from the south, the wrist from the east. Now they will come to the Papal Territory to find the head. They will want the goddess’s body. They will aim to resurrect the forgotten god in this world by offering the demon’s body.”

The religious order had been revived, and faith had been renewed. It was the final step to reaching a position equal to the angels.

“That will be the day you descend to this land. May you obtain the power of death that you couldn’t acquire at that time and become great.”

The angel’s brief prayer ended. When Krazael turned around, someone was waiting. He called the name of his faithful servant.

“Asriel.”

“Is there to be no more war?”

“Not immediately. We must first stabilize the chaos in the Papal Territory and give time for the demon realm’s vessel to assimilate with the god’s power.”

“I will understand it as such.”

The War Commander bowed his head. It was a clean gesture, but regret remained. The Great Archangel caught this small emotion.

“There may be no war, but I permit localized battles.”

“Then…”

“The path to the demon realm is blocked, so we must fight in the human realm. I hear that numerous heretics are rampant in the eastern continent.”

“I will purify them and return.”

“You can spend the time of waiting leisurely there.”

“Thank you, my Leader.”

Having received his orders, Asriel departed. He would be a worthy opponent for the vessel. It would be a battlefield where he could interfere with the demon realm’s growth while developing his individual power.

“Fate. You too will enjoy watching this.”

For the numerous deaths were sacrifices offered by the children for the Creator God to reach divinity.

The Archangel left behind a soft laugh.

#

News of victory spread quickly.

At first, many demons were skeptical. With overwhelming numerical inferiority against a crusader army of one hundred thousand, many predicted defeat.

They didn’t distrust Durin. They simply feared the celestial realm.

The moment they realized their concerns were unfounded was when the pressure from the southern front disappeared. Though the enemy forces were clearly more numerous, they failed to respond properly, overwhelmed by the massive variable that was Durin.

It took only a week for the celestial realm’s elite Holy Knight Order to be defeated and annihilated by the strike force. They were all captured by the Durahani cavalry.

Staying idle in such an atmosphere would be a serious crime. Sensing the changed flow of the battlefield, Verdia and Chapir ordered an advance as if they had been waiting for this moment.

They intended to invest a week to completely expel the crusader forces from the southern border.

“General. The enemy is retreating.”

“They seem to be abandoning the occupation. All troops except for some elite regiments left to defend the rear have turned their banners toward the center.”

Although Rupiel had died at Durin’s hands, the remaining command was still a formidable presence. They should have fallen into chaos, but showed no signs of it. They gathered their supplies and retreated in an orderly manner.

“We can’t let them return home intact. Press the attack!”

As the commander of the Demon King’s cavalry, he couldn’t stand by. Chapir urged on the remaining three thousand beast cavalry to continuously provoke battle.

Of course, he returned only to Verdia’s mockery, having achieved little against the solid formation.

Still, the overall outcome was significant enough that this small incident was quickly forgotten. Above all, welcoming the Regent was more important than giving meaning to meaningless battles.

“Your Excellency! We’ve been waiting!”

Verdia, who rushed out first, knelt before Durin. Having advanced from Barzella Fortress to the southern front, such welcoming greetings awaited him from entire units.

“I have much to report about our victory.”

“As do I. I’ve brought new forces from the eastern continent, so we need to reorganize our formations.”

“If you’re referring to the elves, don’t worry. The Chief Justice has sent word that he will be dispatched to the Order to establish a system.”

“Excellent. Has His Majesty issued any separate orders?”

“None except news that a victory banquet is being prepared.”

Durin looked at Chapir. The cavalry commander nodded in affirmation.

Victory.

The joy he hadn’t felt even after impaling Rupiel’s head on a hill finally came to him. Death Mother, residing in his heart, also sent congratulations through his heartbeat.

They had truly overcome. After enduring that period of decline.

“Let’s return to the Order. We must sort out the spoils before His Majesty arrives here.”

“Has the prisoner camp been built?”

“We’ve considered the possibility of rehabilitation. They’re all being managed at the San Moriano Cathedral.”

“Can it accommodate three thousand?”

Verdia pondered for a moment. It took some time because of the large number mentioned.

“No problem. I will proceed with the guidance immediately.”

It wasn’t a long journey. She gestured to the soldiers to lead the crusader prisoners. Under the strict surveillance of the Durahani, the large procession moved along the road. A small number of beast cavalry scouted the surrounding highlands, preparing for any possible attacks.

Despite it being the sight he had longed for, he felt a sense of incongruity first. Durin unconsciously let out a bitter smile.

“Your Excellency?”

Verdia asked in confusion, anxiously wondering if the legion had failed to present itself properly.

“It’s nothing. Let’s go back.”

“I will accompany you. Please take these elite soldiers selected from the southern army as your guard.”

A triumphal arch awaited him. While the process of war was important, the symbolic ceremony marking victory was equally significant. They needed to send a signal that the children of death had returned to the human realm.

The name of the exiled children of god, not demons.

“I accept with pleasure. Lead the way.”

“As you command!”

It was time to welcome the new era.