Ch.152Double Front (2)

The moment the South fell to the Cult, all settlements except for the Papal Territory were plunged into darkness.

It didn’t mean they had accepted the Cult. They simply no longer followed the faith. Despite the efforts of the monasteries established by the Crusaders, it was all in vain.

“The refugees who went to the Cult are living well.”

“They don’t even have to pay tithes.”

“They even recruit talented children and raise them as holy knights. Doesn’t the Papal Territory take both tithes and people?”

Rumors seduced the masses. Most who had barely survived the war crossed over.

The border regions, riddled with holes after the Crusaders’ defeat, couldn’t stop the population exodus. The holy knights in the monasteries could only watch helplessly as the remaining settlements gradually collapsed.

“We cannot continue like this.”

“We must somehow restore the fallen faith. Just as the great Archangel Commander did in the East.”

Yet they didn’t give up. Though they were merely remnants of a defeated army, they held their ground to the end. Even if the Papal Territory had abandoned them, their remaining pride and sense of duty as holy knights drove them forward.

“First, the church must embrace those who still maintain their faith. We should arrange to send them to the Papal Territory if necessary.”

“That could accelerate defections.”

“Since we can’t stop the flow anyway, let’s gather as many resources as we can. That’s the best we can do.”

The Papal Territory’s recent movements were similar. They were perfectly restructuring around the central region. With the East and South having fallen, the West and North could side with the Dark Cult at any time.

“I hope everyone understands this.”

The collapse was palpable. Though they tried to ignore it, it was drawing ever closer.

They couldn’t remember the sound of victory bells.

Only the enemy’s horns remained etched in their memory.

Bwoooooo-

“What’s that!”

The holy knights who had been in discussion jumped in alarm. Having received no news from the border, they showed their bewilderment.

“Grab your swords!”

“Defend the monastery walls first!”

“Where are all the soldiers!”

Still, they were warriors who had survived decades on the battlefield. Their bodies moved instinctively, rushing outside. Grabbing their weapons and hurrying up to the monastery tower, they could see the approaching scene in the distance.

“My God.”

A black horde covering the horizon. As the mass that could easily swallow a small monastery like theirs approached, they desperately searched for light.

-Kill the false faith.

-Judge the deluded followers.

-Exalt the doctrine of the night.

The echoing voices disrupted their minds. The holy knights couldn’t fight properly. Those who had climbed the walls and shouted loudly were pierced by flying arrows.

Only the clamorous sound of falling armor echoed.

Simultaneously, flames rose. The heretic forces that had quickly breached the gates set fire to the church.

“These creatures, before the hero arrives…”

The last remaining holy knight couldn’t finish his words. A mass of dark magic flew from somewhere. The final warrior, struck hard, was slammed to the ground.

“Kuhak!”

Reddened vision. Surging pain. Invisible salvation.

In this complex despair, he couldn’t even struggle.

Clank. Clank. Clank.

Heavy military boots approached him. Though he couldn’t turn his head, he could feel it. He instinctively recognized the immense power.

“R-Re… Regent…”

“Watch,” said the demon with red eyes, looking down at him.

“The collapse of the Papal Territory.”

At that moment, the sky turned red. Energy rising from the church’s bell tower consumed the world.

It was a signal flare.

The demons who had openly invaded the land mocked heaven’s incompetence.

-Oh God.

Just before his last breath, the holy knight called to God once more in his heart.

In a place without light, there was no answer to his cry for salvation.

Death. The coldest void in the world enveloped him.

#

“They’ve gone completely mad. How dare they covet our territory!”

The news from the South sent shockwaves through the Papal Territory.

Five monasteries had burned in a single night. There were no survivors, and the heads of all priests and holy knights were mounted on poles. It was reported that those full of faith had all been taken prisoner.

“The stability we barely achieved after conquering the East will be shattered.”

“A preemptive attack by demons. What should we do?”

“The Commander. Shouldn’t the Commander lead the subjugation?”

“You want to pull those forces when they’re still holding out in the East? Please talk sense!”

It was a difficult situation. The unprecedented event of the Papal Territory’s land being invaded had occurred, but they had few options.

The Crusaders had been shattered and would take significant time to recover. Though they could replenish manpower through prisoner exchanges, it was uncertain if those men would return to the battlefield. Above all, Heaven showed no interest in saving them. With internal dissatisfaction already rising, another loss would lead to unimaginable chaos.

The South needed to be stabilized by the Papal Territory’s hand.

“Has the Demon Regent’s movement been observed? If he attacks the central region, we can certainly request support.”

“No. According to scout reports, the attacks were centered entirely around the Cult.”

“The Cult is the Demon Regent’s limbs. He must be involved. Therefore…”

Words were hard to find. If the great demon caused chaos at the southern border but advanced no further, Heaven would show no interest. They had already gained enough in the East. The disadvantaged party would be the College of Cardinals, the core of the Papal Territory.

From Heaven’s perspective, they could simply replace those who caused such problems.

If they were deemed unfaithful and sent to rural monasteries, the commotion would end immediately.

Power. The sweet temptation they didn’t want to lose held them back, so they needed to resolve this situation without borrowing the hands of angels.

“Let’s end this by dispatching the hero. Isn’t that force enough?”

“That person has already been defeated by the Demon Regent before.”

Voices of concern grew louder. They knew well how the Crusaders sent to harvest faith in the Southern Cult had ended.

The Demon Regent had been much weaker then. If they couldn’t defeat him in that state, they couldn’t be confident of victory even with Heaven’s support.

“That issue is irrelevant.”

The Pope, who had been observing the College of Cardinals’ meeting, spoke on the matter. All eyes turned to the highest position in the hall.

“Heaven has decided to bestow a treasure upon her.”

“A treasure?”

Everyone expressed doubt. While the scriptures contained information about many treasures, they hadn’t thought they would appear in the mortal world. Heaven had always won without them, and faith had been maintained because of this.

Conversely, this meant the crisis was severe enough to warrant concern.

“Beneath the Papal Territory. We will retrieve the weapon sleeping there.”

“Y-Your Holiness! What are you saying!”

An elderly cardinal urgently asked. One who had served for a long time could immediately understand what the Pope meant.

“Isn’t it a blasphemous relic? If we mistakenly give it to that false hero…”

“Others might discover the truth known only to the noble ones and our high clergy.”

The Pope spoke calmly. Despite his composed tone, the excitement didn’t easily subside.

“If we fail, losing power is not the issue. The Papal Territory could collapse!”

“Heaven wouldn’t take such a risk. There must be a purpose.”

“When we’ve been ignored and received no proper answer to our cries for salvation, how can you be so sure! The continued support has essentially failed!”

“What blasphemy is this!”

A thunderous shout rang out. A young cardinal sitting opposite scolded the old man.

“How dare you oppose Heaven’s opinion? The blasphemous one is not the relic but you.”

“It is right to believe and follow Heaven, but it is not wrong to question what seems incorrect. In fact, the scriptures tell of a great Pope who advised angels who were taking extreme measures.”

“Then and now are not different. With demons rampant, to not follow Heaven’s will… I wonder if you might be a heretic.”

The stance was firm. As the world became more perilous, more clung to the only salvation. The old cardinal felt this firsthand. Though he had much to say, he bit his lip and swallowed his words.

Division was not acceptable. It was better to find another way on his own.

“Heretic? I merely expressed an opinion. But since your words seem more correct, I’ll leave it at that.”

“You’ve thought well. Had you resisted further, I might have truly dragged you to the Inquisition.”

With those words, the commotion subsided. Opinions converged again. Though each might have had their own thoughts, a conclusion was reached.

“We will use the relic buried beneath the cathedral to empower the hero.”

Do you have any final words?

Everyone answered the Pope’s silent question with silence. It was unanimous.

Heaven’s will had been conveyed to humans, so it was time to put it into action.

“Prepare. While we dispatch the hero to the South, we will gather the Crusaders to strengthen the Commander in the East.”

A faint uneasiness remained but was dismissed without resolution.

#

A two-front war.

Chaos intensified as both the South and East were attacked simultaneously. Humans, who hadn’t expected demons to launch a preemptive strike, were in great shock and floundering.

More people began visiting churches to offer prayers.

“They’re too weak. They should think about fighting. They only rely on God.”

The false hero mocked them. They lacked the will that comes from struggle. This was a clear example of why they had fallen to become Heaven’s faith farm.

“That’s why our role is so important. We must guide these foolish ones.”

Beside her stood a young cleric. Though he appeared to be not yet twenty, he had empty eyes. Ordinary people would feel eerie and want to flee from such a gaze.

The hero smirked and dismissed the fear.

“Guidance is not my intention. Only battle. I find pleasure in killing enemies.”

“As long as you kill demons, it doesn’t matter, Hero.”

“Besides demons, there are no worthy opponents for me. Angels are too rigid to be fun to fight.”

“Don’t twist your words to hide that you feel the gap.”

The atmosphere suddenly soured. Black hostility surged into those empty eyes.

“Watch your words, kid. I could kill you.”

“I am Heaven’s representative. I monitor you. The moment I’m harmed, your false role ends.”

“I can just replace you.”

“I wonder. Will things go as you wish?”

The boiling anger was palpable. But she couldn’t touch him.

She had already made a contract. In exchange for delivering the throne of the demon realm where endless battles could be fought, she would fulfill one of their great tasks. It was better to follow quietly.

If she turned against them, she could be crushed to death by the powerful Archangel Commander.

Without the demonic power she had as a Demon Lord, it would be difficult to face them with just physical abilities.

“So where is this relic I’m supposed to get? Just guide me already.”

She finally backed down. Lucretia had learned the patience that Durin had wished for from Heaven.

“You will meet it as soon as the door opens, Hero.”

The empty guide answered Lucretia. She gripped the doorknob firmly.

“Prepare yourself.”

With those words, he applied force.

Creak.

With a heavy sound, the hidden space was revealed.

The darkest place in the Papal Territory, which was full of light. The symbol of victory from a thousand years ago slept here. The demon could instinctively feel it. A pounding beat strongly hammered her heart.

Mother. She almost called that name without realizing it.

Here, she was the false hero. Not the demon who was once a Demon Lord.

Lucretia made a bizarre expression. Neither a smile nor tears, but something else.

As the sorrow of defeat engraved in her soul emerged, the joy of being able to obtain that thing enveloped her body.

“Kuhit. Kihit.”

An ignoble appearance. A body stirring with instinct.

“How filthy.”

Heaven’s monitor evaluated her with contempt.

A monster willing to devour even her mother’s head for pleasure.

And…

“…”

The vessel that would awaken the Goddess of Night by collecting all six pieces.

That was his only role. That’s why he could swallow it.

“Come. Take it now.”

He quietly watched as the worthless child approached her mother’s head.