Ch.203203. Wilderness (3)

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“…Did you get rejected, boss?”

“Shut up.”

Talker, the Luminary’s disciple, snickered.

Though he had served the Luminary for quite some time, this was the first time he’d seen her this sulky.

She sat in the room Darwood had left, resting her chin on her hand while glaring at the door he’d exited through.

‘…And this is supposed to be the leader of the Cultists of the Demon spread across the entire continent.’

She looked more like a sulking cat than anything else.

Though her face was hidden behind a mask, the atmosphere suggested she might as well be pouting.

“I told you so. I said he wasn’t the type to be easily seduced.”

“I told you to shut up.”

Hearing her curt reply, the disciple barely managed to swallow the laughter that threatened to burst out.

‘Oh my, you poor thing.’

Without a doubt, this woman was extraordinary.

Extraordinary enough that a man of his caliber would respectfully address her as “boss.”

She was the only person who could match Darwood Campbell, the variable that had “twisted” this entire world. How remarkable must she be?

While pondering this, the Luminary continued in her still-sulky voice:

“…That man will die soon. Because of a demon.”

“You can’t be certain it’ll be the Grey one, can you?”

“It’s the most likely possibility.”

When the Luminary spoke in that low voice, the disciple scratched his head.

It was true that this woman, ironically the leader of the Cultists of the Demon, harbored hostility toward demons, but her animosity toward the Grey Demon was exceptionally intense.

Was it normal to harbor such murderous intent over something uncertain?

“I know you have knowledge about ‘other world-lines,’ boss.”

Her desire to kill demons, especially the Grey Demon, probably stemmed from that.

Among the countless world-lines the Luminary had observed, the Grey Demon must have killed Darwood Campbell “most frequently.”

“But things have never gone exactly as you expected, right? Like when that man engraved the Fallen Angel’s seal last time.”

Hearing this, the Luminary clenched her fist.

The gesture conveyed her intense irritation at the mere mention, as if watching something that should have been “hers” being taken by someone else.

“…He’ll need my help this time anyway, that man.”

She continued in a monotone voice:

“A vessel with three fragments causes environmental changes just by awakening. Even that man would struggle with Pandemonium’s creatures.”

She seemed to be trying to calm herself by recalling these facts despite her anger.

“That’s just the first obstacle he’ll face. What comes after will be even more brutal. So undoubtedly—”

Yet, some things needed to be said.

The disciple wrapped his hand around his dharma tool and spoke:

“Well…”

He gripped one of his dharma tools and continued:

“I don’t think things will go that smoothly.”

As a few words bound by mantras circled in the air, the dharma tool began projecting a transparent “window.”

It displayed footage of a battle taking place nearby.

“…What is this?”

The Luminary’s voice was filled with disbelief.

The scene displayed on the screen certainly warranted such a reaction.

“Boss, didn’t you say the Demonic Vessels couldn’t provide him with crucial help?”

Anyone knowledgeable about Demonic Vessels would understand how absurd this scene was.

Vessels, whether they like it or not, are influenced by the demons’ true forms.

Most of them don’t get along well with each other because they’re influenced by demons who are at odds with one another.

The White Demon and the Grey Demon, the Blue Demon and the Violet Demon, the Red Demon and the Brown Demon…

The web of conflicts between them is as ancient as the history of Pandemonium itself.

But.

“…Looking at this, that doesn’t seem to be the case.”

Pandemonium gates opened everywhere due to the Red Demon’s awakening.

A sword strike imbued with grey energy swept through. Though it appeared to be a simple sword strike, it contained the power of “erosion.”

Space-time froze. The movements of those inside became extremely slow.

Elnore withdrew her sword with elegant movements, preparing for her next action. She intended to deal with everything caught in her range at once.

But.

A “blue energy” intervened, instantly destroying the slowed Sweepers.

“5 points! Thanks!”

Riru winked as she said this.

Then she hurled herself toward another group of Sweepers.

“…That thieving woman.”

While Elnore narrowed her eyes and muttered this, the scene shifted.

Perhaps not yet fully accustomed to the demonic energy, Serath was fighting with dual daggers without drawing out the Violet Demon.

While Elnore had been destroying Sweepers with dance-like elegant movements, this combat style was characterized by completely efficient movements without any wasted motion.

Each time her hand moved, a life was extinguished. Even if not completely killed, they were at least incapacitated.

She never considered retreat or creating distance, instead focusing on devastating single strikes—perfectly embodying an assassin’s combat style.

Despite the Pandemonium creatures having different internal organs, muscle structures, and weak points, she maintained this approach—something only possible for a Grand Assassin.

Of course, like the previous scene, she wasn’t hunting them with complete ease.

Someone “walked in” between the incapacitated Sweepers.

And with just that, all the Sweepers within range were cleanly sliced apart.

Like fruits thrown into a blender.

“…”

“…”

Serath stared blankly at the other person.

She looked like a child whose hidden snacks had been stolen.

“…What are you doing?”

“3 points.”

“No, I was saving those to take out all at once…!”

Ignoring her, Yuria turned away and continued walking steadily.

Just by moving, any Sweepers within three steps of her were sliced apart.

With vacant eyes, silently, and with an atmosphere reminiscent of someone with severe depression, she continued this slaughter in a truly terrifying manner.

“…What kind of weirdo is she?”

Overwhelmed by the sight, Serath grumbled while swinging her daggers.

Her movements conveyed a sense of incredulity that someone in such a state would still participate in this competition, unwilling to give up on that “first night right.”

“…Hey, Talker.”

As creatures emerging from the gates were slaughtered without even having a chance to react, the Luminary ran her hand through her hair and spoke:

“Yes?”

“Those are Pandemonium creatures, right?”

“That’s right.”

“…The ones where just a few dozen being released would cause a calamity in the material world, correct?”

“That’s right.”

“…”

Yet they were being slaughtered without even being able to resist.

To the point where one might even feel sorry for them.

Seeing the Luminary at a loss for words, the disciple smiled slightly and continued:

“You know what? Among all the ‘world-lines’ you’ve seen, has there ever been one like this?”

“…”

“Where the Demonic Vessels cooperate with each other. For one man.”

Looking at each vessel individually, they don’t seem to get along well. Despite having this many people gathered, there’s a strong sense of individual combat.

Or rather, it feels like they’re all ready to stab each other in the back.

But.

Nevertheless.

This process itself already transcends common sense by an unfathomable margin.

Beings that stand at the top of all dimensions, all phases, alongside the Lightbearers, above all rulers.

“…”

Such beings.

Even if it’s just the “vessels” borrowing a bit of their power, without the “original personalities” manifesting.

All the demons.

Every single one.

For just one man.

“It seems like, thanks to them, he’ll easily pass the first obstacle, don’t you think?”

“…”

Undoubtedly.

It was an irrefutable truth.

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“…”

“…”

Urgent yet awkward.

Elia Krisanax had that thought as she ran alongside Darwood.

Normally in such an urgent crisis, there would be some conversation to strengthen their bond, but now they were just running silently.

While the other Demonic Vessels were holding back the creatures emerging from the gates, she and Darwood needed to reach where Faynol was, she’d been told.

-You’re the most important in this situation.

That’s what he had said.

Usually, she would have been overjoyed, but the situation was different now.

The awkwardness that had persisted since earlier was proof of that.

“…”

More precisely, while he seemed unchanged, Elia herself was the one feeling uncomfortable.

Her gaze kept returning to the amulet on Darwood’s wrist.

She hadn’t paid much attention to it before, but when examined with the Eye of Truth, it undoubtedly emitted a “familiar” presence.

The one she had been searching for.

Even just once

And though she had been trying to deny it until now, seeing it with her own eyes made it even more certain.

Her brother was already dead.

His soul was “stored” in there.

“…”

Her hands were trembling.

The sudden Crimson Night incident. Her greatest trauma.

Confirming her brother’s death with her own eyes.

And Darwood, who clearly knew but hadn’t revealed it to her until now.

Every single element made it impossible to maintain her composure. She wanted to clutch her head and collapse right there.

What on earth is going on?

“The Holy Knight.”

Suddenly, Darwood spoke beside her as they ran.

“…”

Important, he had said earlier.

Perhaps it wasn’t herself that was important, but rather “Elia who was chosen by the Holy Knight.”

With that sudden feeling, Elia responded with a somewhat gloomy tone:

“…I brought it.”

Darwood nodded at her response.

“Good.”

Then silence again.

Only the sound of their footsteps could be heard as they ran. It was quiet.

“You know.”

Darwood’s voice broke the silence.

“…You must have a lot of questions.”

“…”

As if he had read her mind

“I promise. I’ll explain everything once this is over, so please bear with me for now.”

“…”

Suddenly.

Elia had a thought.

She was incredibly weak when it came to someone she liked.

Just hearing those words made her tangled emotions melt away.

How could she be so soft toward this person that she would just nod meekly despite everything?

“So—”

“…It’s fine.”

As Darwood tried to continue, Elia responded in a mumbling voice:

“I’m sure you had your reasons, sir. As long as you can explain properly, it’s okay.”

“…Is that so? Thank you. But I still need to—”

“No. Really, it’s fine.”

Elia said with a grin:

“…Honestly, there were things I wanted to hear even if I had to beat you up for them! But! I’ll forgive you for everything!”

“No.”

To Elia’s bright smile, Darwood extended his hand slightly, his expression slightly furrowed.

He looked like he was saying “what are you talking about?”

“I was trying to tell you to hand over the Holy Knight to me right now.”

“…”

“I’ll give it back later.”

Hmm.

Maybe she should just beat him up now?

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