Ch.139Development (1)

The Warrior’s Cradle, a vast wasteland stretched out before them.

It was also where the only gate connecting to the human realm was located. Emerging from the collapsed temple that once enshrined the Rock Mother, one could survey the entire southern landscape of the demon realm with Raktelrun at its center.

“It’s different.”

Durin offered a simple assessment. Verdia, who was leading the legion and accompanying the Regent, could not hide her joy.

“The South will continue to develop. Warriors who have overcome the era of decline are different, Your Excellency.”

Although Verdia had killed her own kin during the rebellion suppression, her essence still remained with the South. Foolishly, she harbored dreams of carrying on the southern traditions anew, in place of the clan that had betrayed the Demon King.

The southern army, reborn as the core of the legion, was Verdia’s will to carry on.

“I will devote myself. So please…”

“I’m not talking about the South.”

“Pardon?”

Verdia, who had been grandly continuing her speech while recalling a scene from scripture, was taken aback. Durin stood on the cliff, still gazing at the same place. Though they thought they were heading in the same direction since Raktelrun lay at the end, he sensed something quite different.

“Feel the demonic energy.”

At Durin’s words, Verdia closed her eyes.

The power drifting through the demon realm. The fear of the human realm that should be managed since Demon King Serpin took the throne.

The energy that should be felt from all directions was different. It was a feeling that couldn’t be simply categorized. But one thing was certain. It had developed in complexity, infusing a stronger power than before.

“This is…”

“Death has taken root. In the demonic energy.”

Durin extended his hand. A black sphere formed above his palm, then merged with red fighting spirit, emitting an orderly energy.

“It’s not crude. Fear is merely a primal resource wrung from the human psyche, but death is different.”

“So it’s not the same kind of fear.”

“They fear, yet they revere. As death is perceived as another form of peace and salvation, fear is now accompanied by faith.”

Just as the celestial realm had instilled faith in the longing for immortality, demons too could now gain power in the same way.

“Now we are finally equal.”

Though the lost Goddess of Night was still in deep slumber, by following her traces, he had created a place for her return. Though not yet perfect, he would sharpen his forces and present a perfect throne to his mother.

“At the same time, we must be cautious.”

“Of what, and how should we proceed?”

“Arrogance. Beware of what corrupted the celestial realm.”

As their status had risen, power came more easily, often leading to complacency.

“Even the God of Light, who maintained greatness for a thousand years, could not avoid decline. Arrogance is a deadly poison. For the demon realm, which has only just begun to rise, it could be fatal.”

“But Your Excellency, doesn’t the demon realm lack the time to acquire arrogance yet?”

Verdia expressed her doubt. Durin answered firmly.

“Arrogance is like a flame that ignites in an instant. It emits enough heat to burn the entire world, captivating with its grandeur.”

“Your victory has become the kindling, then.”

“Indeed. They say my victory was won by the demon realm. I won’t deny the noble sacrifice of the legion, but it’s still not enough.”

The Regent turned around. He asked the legion who had been silently listening to his words.

“Can you achieve victory without me?”

Yes, we can!

That was the resolve they should have shouted as soldiers. But upon hearing Durin’s words, even they weren’t certain. Could they overcome the holy bombardment of an archangel? Though they had held the southern front, they had merely endured.

If Durin hadn’t chosen a bold breakthrough in the east, they likely would have been pushed back. Even with two powerful figures like Verdia and Chaphir, victory would have eluded them.

“Remember your current position. We are still the weaker side, waiting for an opportunity to bite the neck of the celestial realm.”

They needed to stay low. The celestial realm would recover from its damage in the near future and draw its sword again, so they needed to continue honing their edge until then.

“Always keep this in mind. The day we spread our wings again will be when we have completely destroyed the celestial realm.”

The goal they had always harbored in their hearts.

Conquest of the celestial realm.

“Do not let your guard down until the Archangel has fallen.”

“Then what happens after that?”

Someone threw out a jest. Coming amid such a serious atmosphere, Verdia was startled and her eyes blazed with anger.

“What should the legion do after achieving its purpose? I’m curious about what comes after the victory we’ve struggled so hard to obtain.”

It was too early to discuss this. But Gorgon, the battle-hardened Duran warrior who had crossed the line of death, was looking toward the future.

“Is that when we’re allowed to become arrogant?”

“Gorgon! Mind your words. What nonsense are you speaking before His Excellency?”

“It’s pure curiosity, General Verdia.”

The Duran Gorgon stepped forward. Was this also arrogance? Verdia fell into contemplation, but fortunately, an answer came quickly.

“The legion has simply fought for victory. But now too many victories have been placed in our hands.”

“What were small steps for us must have seemed large to you.”

“Give us direction. We wish to embrace a goal greater than being an army that doesn’t rely on the strong.”

Protecting the demon realm was naturally a task they had to undertake. Going beyond that would lead to arrogance. Only a future of complacency would remain.

Gorgon was asking Durin for a goal that would keep them moving forward.

During the era of decline, forming a legion was enough, but not anymore.

“Excellent, Duran.”

Durin was satisfied. His ideal vision.

An army that called only for war. He wanted the will to look beyond the grand goal of becoming a powerful army to conquer the celestial realm.

“Now that we have reclaimed our god, there is only one task we must accomplish.”

“Please tell us.”

Gorgon knelt down. Planting his halberd firmly, he yearned to know, and the rest of the legion bowed their heads as well. Verdia pressed her forehead to the ground.

“Please show us the way!”

“Duty.”

Durin murmured. The duty he had always emphasized appeared once more.

“Fulfill your duty.”

“Do you mean the duty of protection?”

“No.”

After the conquest of the celestial realm. On the day they would meet the Creator God residing in the highest place in the sky, demons would naturally come to know this story.

“The day will come when we fulfill our forgotten duty.”

“Forgotten.”

“Duty?”

The legion was bewildered. It was a natural reaction. Reclaiming their god was already miraculous, so understanding anything beyond that was still too much. Durin understood this and did not chide them.

“I too inherited this long ago.”

Durin raised his head. He closed his eyes as if honoring someone.

Beyond his darkened vision, the wind carried voices.

-Durin. You are the warrior who must carry on the demon realm.

-The will of the Red Horn is now your burden to bear.

-Even if you falter, never fall.

One was from the demon who created his body.

The next was from a Demon King who had met his death.

The last was from an ancient warrior who had passed all his power to him.

-Though not appointed by Mother, you are the only warrior qualified to receive the severed will.

It became a little clearer than before. The wind brought the voice of Dantalos from somewhere.

-Small demon who inherited the blood of the first Demon King and received the duty left by Mother.

It scatters. The voice that had held together Durin’s mind, preventing it from scattering throughout a lifetime spent in war, had finally departed.

The pressure he had carried his entire life, never speaking of it to others, subsided. But that did not mean it had vanished.

Having overcome the era of decline, it finally began to shine, becoming the brightest star in the observatory that sorcerers would trace.

“The next battlefield will be the day we claim the duty we should have rightfully possessed.”

“It must be the most valuable duty in the world.”

“Indeed, Gorgon. As long as you draw breath, it will be something you can take the most pride in.”

Durin opened his eyes. The blue sky came into view.

The night hidden by the black sun. The future shining brilliantly beyond it.

“You won’t dare to contemplate arrogance.”

#

“The Red Horn has opened its eyes again.”

In the darkest place of the demon realm. The observatory.

The Witch of Prophecy rose to her feet.

“The time has come for the one who brought hope of victory, the child born of the Creator God, to stretch.”

She brushed her hand across the Milky Way. A pale flow streamed through her delicate fingers.

Countless records of kings inscribed in the night sky passed by. The Witch of Prophecy could see them with her eyes. This was possible because she was an ancient demon who had lived for a thousand years or more, and had directly received power from the Mother of Night.

As the quality of demonic energy rose, it became even clearer.

“Dantalos. The demon realm you saved with your life is about to move again.”

The era of decline will now turn toward the celestial realm.

It was an inevitable flow now that the brightest star had risen in the demon realm.

The Witch of Prophecy clasped her hands together. As she offered a devout prayer, the sky shone.

She connected with the stars.

“Ah, Dantalos.”

The dark place turned bright.

The Witch of Prophecy raised both hands in worship.

“Please watch over the one in whom the Creator God glimpsed hope.”

An irresistible energy spread throughout the observatory. But it was not an oppressive force that could not be resisted.

It was the warmest touch a created being could feel.

“Since fate has chosen your son.”